Evaluating the effects of a sorghum probiotic fortified beverage on diabetes and obesity among mineworkers in South Africa: A proof of concept study
1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
2
2Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland,, Kuopio, Finland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (“diabesity”) in South Africa is rising at an alarming rate. The mining population is most at risk due to sedentary lifestyles, irregular meals, long shifts, and dependence on processed, ready to eat, high carbohydrate foods. Studies show 31% of mineworkers are obese and at high risk of diabetes, yet few nutrition interventions target this specific need (Van Heerden, 2020). The Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) No. 29 of 1996 states that workers with uncontrolled diabetes or obesity-related complications may be deemed unfit. It is very common for mineworkers to lose work as a result of obesity and diabetes related complications exerting an economic burden on low-income households. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L]. Moench), or “mabele,” is an indigenous grain rich in phytonutrients. It’s effect on the PPAR-γ pathway on modulating hyperglycaemia and adipogenicity (de Oliveira & de Alencar Figueiredo, 2024) has been well documented.
METHODS:
This proof-of-concept, randomised, open-label, crossover, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention trial, will enrol 80 mineworkers (over 3 years) with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Participants will consume the study beverage as a partial meal replacement or a maize-based placebo over 12 weeks, including a 4-week washout and followed by a crossover period. Baseline and post-intervention measures will include anthropometric indicators, glycaemic markers, and selected inflammatory and immune markers. A semi-structured quality-of-life survey will assess general well-being. Expected
RESULTS:
It is expected that the sorghum beverage will demonstrate feasibility and high acceptability within the mining environment, with favourable short-term effects on satiety, energy and glycaemic response compared with the maize-based placebo.
CONCLUSIONS:
This pilot study will generate preliminary evidence on the role of sorghum-based culturally acceptable (indigenous) foods in occupational nutrition will inform the design of larger trials.
The rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (“diabesity”) in South Africa is rising at an alarming rate. The mining population is most at risk due to sedentary lifestyles, irregular meals, long shifts, and dependence on processed, ready to eat, high carbohydrate foods. Studies show 31% of mineworkers are obese and at high risk of diabetes, yet few nutrition interventions target this specific need (Van Heerden, 2020). The Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) No. 29 of 1996 states that workers with uncontrolled diabetes or obesity-related complications may be deemed unfit. It is very common for mineworkers to lose work as a result of obesity and diabetes related complications exerting an economic burden on low-income households. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L]. Moench), or “mabele,” is an indigenous grain rich in phytonutrients. It’s effect on the PPAR-γ pathway on modulating hyperglycaemia and adipogenicity (de Oliveira & de Alencar Figueiredo, 2024) has been well documented.
METHODS:
This proof-of-concept, randomised, open-label, crossover, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention trial, will enrol 80 mineworkers (over 3 years) with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Participants will consume the study beverage as a partial meal replacement or a maize-based placebo over 12 weeks, including a 4-week washout and followed by a crossover period. Baseline and post-intervention measures will include anthropometric indicators, glycaemic markers, and selected inflammatory and immune markers. A semi-structured quality-of-life survey will assess general well-being. Expected
RESULTS:
It is expected that the sorghum beverage will demonstrate feasibility and high acceptability within the mining environment, with favourable short-term effects on satiety, energy and glycaemic response compared with the maize-based placebo.
CONCLUSIONS:
This pilot study will generate preliminary evidence on the role of sorghum-based culturally acceptable (indigenous) foods in occupational nutrition will inform the design of larger trials.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
