Healthy Eating Research Study
The National Institutes of Health is conducting a research study that involves a healthy eating plan for one year.
Fast Facts
Ages 18-60
In Generally Good Health
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Bethesda, MD
Study Background
Researchers at the NIH are recruiting healthy study volunteers to switch from eating a Western diet to a healthy Mediterranean diet.
This study is investigating how switching from a traditional Western diet (low in fiber, high in saturated fat) to a Mediterranean-like unprocessed foods diet (CLEAN-MED) changes the environment in the intestine. The CLEAN-MED diet includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with little sugar or red meat.
Participants will receive education sessions with dietitians, provide stool and urine samples, submit food logs, and complete surveys.
Join our compensated study!
Study Background
Researchers at the NIH are recruiting healthy study volunteers to switch from eating a Western diet to a healthy Mediterranean diet.
This study is investigating how switching from a traditional Western diet (low in fiber, high in saturated fat) to a Mediterranean-like unprocessed foods diet (CLEAN-MED) changes the environment in the intestine. The CLEAN-MED diet includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with little sugar or red meat.
Participants will receive education sessions with dietitians, provide stool and urine samples, submit food logs, and complete surveys.
Join our compensated study!
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to understand how switching from a traditional Western diet to a Mediterranean-like unprocessed foods diet changes the environment in the intestine.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-60
- In generally good health
- Not currently eating a restrictive diet (e.g., vegan, vegetarian, keto, food allergies)
- Have resources and capability to consume freshly cooked (i.e. not pre-packaged or frozen) meals
- Not currently on a weight-loss program or experienced a weight change of greater than 15 pounds in the past 3 months
- Willing to adhere to the dietary regimen and report any major stressors that occur during the study (i.e. changing jobs, moving, death of a close relative/friend, etc.
- Willing to provide blood, urine, and stool samples
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding or planning pregnancy within the time of the study
- No use of smoking or chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, cigars, or other nicotine-containing products, or cannabis
- No history of an eating disorder
- Able to attend on-site visits
- BMI ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 kg/m²
- No active cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type 1 and 2), kidney disease, liver disease, cancer in the past 3 years
- No diagnosed autoimmune condition (i.e. HIV, lupus, etc.) or other immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state
- No bariatric surgery or severe intestinal problems (e.g., IBD or moderate-severe IBS)
- Do not consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day
- No use of probiotic supplements within the last 2 months
- No history of hospitalization for a mental health condition
- No change in depression or anxiety prescription medications within the past 10 weeks
- No regular use of prescription opiate pain medication
- Weight is not <100 lbs
Once enrolled, this study involves:
- Completing a 1-week trial, which includes logging your food and taking photographs of all ingredients lists on the packages of food
- Receiving 4 education sessions with dietitians to learn how to transition to the new diet
- Collecting stool and urine samples at home using our kits
- Attending an on-site appointment once per month with a FASTING blood draw
- Submitting food logs 3 days per week for one year
- Completing a short well-being survey with each food log
- Completing longer surveys monthly or less frequently
Compensation is provided up to $2000 for your participation.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
