Can a High-Phenolic ancient grain rewire metabolism?
NCT ID NCT07832071
First seen Sep 21, 2026 · Last updated Sep 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing whether whole grain sorghum improves immune and metabolic health in adults with excess weight, and whether phenolic compounds in the grain drive those effects. Thirty participants eat foods made from high-phenolic sumac sorghum, low-phenolic white sorghum, or white rice for four weeks each. The study measures insulin resistance, beta-cell function, gut bacteria, and other health markers to see how the grains compare.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- whole grain sorghum (sumac and white varieties) and white rice
- What this could lead to
- If sorghum's phenolics drive metabolic benefits, it could inform dietary advice for people with excess weight who want to improve insulin sensitivity and gut health.
- What could go wrong
- This small, short-term feeding study cannot prove long-term health effects, and participants may not stick to the prescribed foods. Results in 30 adults may not apply to the general population.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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19 to 64 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Between the age of 19 and 64 years. 2. Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant (females only). 3. Stable body mass index above or equal to 26 kg/m² (rounded up) for the last month. 4. Body fat above or equal to 36% (female) or 25% (male) (rounded up). 5. No major diet changes in the last month. 6. Ability to eat provided study foods each day and avoid eating sorghum except for the study foods. 7. Ability to wear a continuous glucose monitor for 10 days. 8. Ability to have blood drawn after \~12 hours of fasting. 9. Have a bowel movement at least every third day. 10. Ability to collect and deliver your stool samples to the study site within 4 hours of collection. 11. No known allergies or intolerance to sorghum or rice. 12. No known allergies to wheat or soy (study foods may contain wheat or soy) 13. Able to read and speak English. 14. Requires no legally authorized representative (LAR). 15. Not institutionalized (e.g., prison, psychological treatment center, etc.). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Has cardiac device or history of organ transplant. 2. History of cancer within the last year (excludes skin cancer). 3. History of gastrointestinal surgery or disease diagnosed by a physician that involves the stomach, small, and large intestines. 4. Current use of tobacco. 5. Excessing alcohol use (≥8 drinks \[female\] or ≥15 drinks \[male\] per week). 6. Taken antibiotics in the last 2 months. 7. Current long-term use of anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, or cholesterol-lowering medications. 8. Medication regimen or dosage changed within the last 2 months. 9. Use of digestive enzymes, laxatives, dietary fiber, prebiotic, or probiotic supplements within the last 3 weeks. 10. Supplement regimen or dosage changed within the last 3 weeks
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Nebraska Food for Health Center
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588, United States
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