How Diet and Salt Affect Gut Health in People with Diabetes

Effects of Dietary Patterns and Sodium Intake on the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11092265

This project looks at how different eating styles and salt levels change the gut bacteria and other substances in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11092265 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are exploring how specific eating patterns, like the DASH diet, and different levels of salt in your food affect the tiny organisms in your gut and the chemicals they produce. This work involves adults with type 2 diabetes who are participating in a controlled feeding trial. By comparing the DASH diet to a typical American diet, and looking at both lower and higher salt intake, we hope to understand how these dietary choices impact gut health. Our aim is to discover if these gut changes influence heart health factors, such as blood pressure, and if they can help us offer more personalized nutrition advice.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older with type 2 diabetes who are willing to participate in controlled feeding trials.

Not a fit: Patients not interested in dietary changes or those without type 2 diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more precise dietary recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes to improve their gut health and reduce cardiovascular risks.

How similar studies have performed: Observational studies and some human trials suggest dietary factors modify the gut microbiome, but rigorously controlled feeding trials are still needed to confirm these effects.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.