Goji Berries and Energy Expenditure
Condition: Overweight
MeSH terms: Overweight
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Effects of foods or food substances on energy expenditure are of particular interest, because
      of the increasing prevalence of obesity and its consequent metabolic diseases like type II
      diabetes and fatty liver disease, all risk factors for the development of cardiovascular
      diseases (CVDs). Recently, the Goji berry (Lycium Barbarum, wolfberry) was introduced into
      the Western diet. L. Barbarum originates from Asia, where it is used to improve the health of
      several organs. Although L. Barbarum is promoted as a super food with many beneficial
      effects, consistent scientific evidence for these effects is lacking. In one study, it was
      found that short-term intake of L. Barbarum polysaccharides - equal to 150 g of fresh berries
      - increased postprandial oxygen consumption. This indicates that L. Barbarum might exert
      beneficial effects on energy expenditure. Furthermore, long-term intervention trials have
      shown beneficial effects of L. Barbarum on lipid and glucose metabolism in mice and type II
      diabetic patients and on inflammatory status in healthy elderly. Altogether, L. Barbarum has
      the potential to be used as a functional food to increase metabolic health, but detailed
      information on the postprandial effects of L. Barbarum is missing. We therefore propose this
      double-blinded, randomized, placebo controlled intervention trial to investigate the effect
      of a single dose of L. Barbarum on postprandial energy expenditure substrate oxidation,
      metabolic flexibility, lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers.
    

Detailed description: 
      Objectives:

      The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a single dose of L.
      Barbarum on postprandial energy expenditure. Secondary objectives are to investigate the
      effect of a single dose of L. Barbarum on postprandial lipid and carbohydrate oxidation and
      metabolic flexibility, on postprandial lipid and glucose metabolism and on inflammatory
      markers.

      Study design:

      This is a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial with two test days
      separated by a washout period of at least 1 week.

      Study population:

      The study population will consist of 20 apparently healthy overweight (BMI between 25 and 30
      kg/m2) men aged 18-65 years.

      Intervention:

      All subjects will receive a mixed meal including 25 grams of dried L. Barbarum as the
      intervention product and a matched mixed meal without L. Barbarum as the placebo product. The
      meals will be matched for energy content and macronutrient composition.
    

Intervention name(s): Lycium Barbarum mixed meal; Control mixed meal
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): This mixed meal contains 25 grams of dried Lycium Barbarum (Goji berry, Wolfberry); This mixed meal does not contain Lycium Barbarum, but is matched for energy and macronutrient content
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Lycium Barbarum; Energy expenditure; Postprandial metabolism