Study Participation

Take Part in Research on Fiber and Gut Health!

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Are you interested in contributing to health research?

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut is looking for adults to join an 11‑week nutrition study to learn how different fiber supplements affect gut health. You will be provided with daily fiber supplements and may receive up to $250 for your time.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are between 30 and 65 years of age
  • Are willing to take a study fiber supplement powder every day
  • Are willing to provide stool samples during the study

Do not meet any of the exclusion criteria (to be reviewed during screening)

What will you be asked to do?

  • Take a daily fiber supplement (a fiber blend or a control fiber)
  • Attend 5 in‑person visits over 11 weeks
  • Provide non‑invasive stool samples
  • Complete brief surveys about your diet, mood, and gut symptoms

To inquire about participating in the study contact:

This research study was approved by BRANY IRB, Protocol #B2026-0251

Blackcurrants Mitigate Postmenopausal Bone Loss through Gut Microbiota-Bone Axis: A Randomized Clinical Trial Coupled with a Multi-omics Approach to Inform Precision Nutrition

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The University of Connecticut, Department of Nutritional Sciences, is looking for volunteers to take part in a research study. The purpose of this study is to determine how blackcurrant consumption impacts the gut microbiome and bone mass in adult women at risk of bone loss. Participants will be asked to visit the Department of Nutritional Sciences in Storrs, CT, for 5 clinical visits over a period of 12 months. 

Eligibility:

  • Healthy woman aged 45-70
  • Be classified as postmenopausal (defined as no menses in the last 12 months, or had hysterectomy or endometrial ablation without bilateral oophorectomy before age 55) for less than 10 years
  • Willing to ingest a blackcurrant supplement or placebo daily for 12 months
  • No cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, liver or kidney disease
  • Not on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year
  • Not heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes/day) or heavy drinkers (>2 drinks/day)
  • Not taking prescription medications altering bone and Ca metabolism
  • Willing to avoid other dietary supplements and foods extremely rich in anthocyanins and fermented dairy products for the duration of the study
  • Willing to have 5 blood draws, 4 urine and stool collections, and 3 bone scans at the beginning of the study and at months 6 and 12

Benefits of Participation:

  • Participation in this study will provide you with information about your bone density scan results and diet analysis reports, which may provide insight into your overall nutrition and bone health status. Additionally, you will help scientists better understand the benefits of blackcurrant consumption.
  • Participants will receive up to $300.

To learn more about this study, contact:

To complete the eligibility screener: click here

This research study was approved by the BRANY IRB #25-02-472-910

Nutrition Research Study: Effects of Dairy Lipids 

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The Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut is seeking participants for an 8-week nutrition research study to investigate the effects of dairy lipids on blood cholesterol levels, inflammation levels, and gut bacteria composition.  

Eligibility 

  • Men and post-menopausal women  
  • Between 40 and 70 years of age 
  • Willing to consume study provided dairy products daily 
  • Willing to provide blood and stool samples throughout the study 
  • Meet other study inclusion criteria and do not fit any exclusion criteria 

Check eligibility by filling out the study screening survey. 

Benefits of Participation 

  • Free nutrient intake analysis from diet records, blood pressure values, and body composition analysis upon request. 
  • You will be compensated up to $250 for your time. 

Contact 

This research study was approved by the UConn IRB, Protocol #H22-0161