The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) has announced the launch of the first human clinical trial to evaluate the health effects of whole grain sorghum. The study is being conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and co-funded by USCP in partnership with USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Commodity Board program.

The randomized crossover trial will examine how daily consumption of two whole grain sorghum varieties—a traditional white sorghum and a phenolic-rich “sumac” sorghum—affects health markers in adults with obesity. Researchers will assess changes in insulin resistance, body weight and composition, blood pressure, blood lipids, antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers, and gut microbiota profiles.

“This first-of-its-kind human study is a direct result of sorghum producers’ commitment to scientific research,” says Lanier Dabruzzi, director of nutrition & food innovation at USCP. “For years, we’ve seen promising evidence of sorghum’s health benefits in vitro and in animal studies, and now we are taking the critical next step of exploring these and other benefits within the complexity of the human body.”

Tim Lust, CEO of USCP, notes that the study’s findings may inform future regulatory and commercial efforts. “Sorghum farmers have always known this crop is special, and now we’re proving it on the biggest stage—human nutrition,” says Lust. “The data will be crucial as we pursue qualified health claims for sorghum with the FDA and collaborate with food companies on new sorghum-based products.”

Results from the study are expected to guide future research and support product development efforts focused on sorghum’s nutritional and sustainability attributes.