Cohort study on the health effects of different plant-based diets

Cohort Study on Plant-based Diets (COPLANT Study)

Observational German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment · NCT06323538

This study is trying to see how different plant-based diets, like vegan and vegetarian, affect the health of people aged 18 to 69 in Germany and Austria.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment6000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 69 Years
SexAll
SponsorGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Academic / other
Locations8 sites (Vienna and 7 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06323538 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The COPLANT study is a multicenter cohort investigation that will recruit approximately 6,000 participants aged 18 to 69 in Germany and Austria from 2024 to 2027. It aims to explore the health benefits and risks associated with various plant-based diets, including vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, and omnivorous diets, while also assessing social, ecological, and economic impacts. Participants will undergo detailed dietary assessments using a specialized app, alongside measurements of body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and other health indicators. The study will also focus on specific population groups such as pregnant women and children, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of dietary impacts across different demographics.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 18 to 69 who have been following their current diet for at least one year.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide informed consent or those who are not health insured may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the health impacts of plant-based diets, potentially guiding dietary recommendations for better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown varying degrees of success in examining the health effects of plant-based diets, making this study a valuable addition to existing research.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* age between 18 and 69 years at recruitment (age-stratified recruitment in four age groups (18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50 to 69 years) which should be equally distributed across the four diets)
* following their current diet for at least one year
* health insured
* are willing to have blood taken (adults)
* are willing and able to complete questionnaires
* only at Berlin, Jena, Giessen and Karlsruhe sites: pregnant and breastfeeding women were recruited (shortened examination programm)
* only at the Regensburg, Heidelberg, Bonn and Vienna sites: are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding at the time of recruitment
* only at Berlin and Karlsruhe sites: children of adult participants (shortened examination programm without collection of blood, urine, and stool)
* are able to give informed consent to participate in the study
* have given their consent to participate in the COPLANT study

Exclusion Criteria:

* who can no longer be contacted
* who withdraw their consent to participate in the study

Where this trial is running

Vienna and 7 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Dietary ExposureDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Cardiovascular DiseasesBone LossSustainabilityExposureObesityVitamin Deficiency
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.