Dietary intervention using fermented plant-based foods for metabolic health

Fermented Plant-based Portfolio Diet 4 Metabolic Health (FermDiHealth)

NA · Chalmers University of Technology · NCT06587958

This study tests if eating a diet rich in fermented plant-based foods can improve metabolic health in people with metabolic syndrome compared to other types of diets.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorChalmers University of Technology (other)
Locations1 site (Gothenburg, ästra Götaland)
Trial IDNCT06587958 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the metabolic effects of a high-fiber portfolio diet based on fermented plant-based foods compared to a non-fermented plant-based diet and a habitual diet. It employs a three-way randomized, controlled cross-over design with 100 participants who meet specific criteria for metabolic syndrome. Each participant will undergo six-week interventions followed by six-week washout periods, with assessments focusing on gut microbiome profiles and cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly inflammation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with signs of metabolic syndrome, including specific waist circumference and blood marker thresholds.

Not a fit: Patients with significant gastrointestinal conditions or food allergies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel dietary approach to improve metabolic health and reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

How similar studies have performed: While dietary interventions have been explored, this specific approach using fermented plant-based foods is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Sign of metabolic syndrome

Waist circumference \> 102 cm/88 cm M/W and at least one of the following:

* High density lipoprotein (HDL) ≤1.0 mmol/L men / HDL ≤1.3 mmol/L
* Triglycerides ≥ 1,7 mmol/L
* Blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg
* Fasting glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L

Other inclusion criteria:

* Signed informed consent
* Willingness to consume the intervention foods
* Body mass index 25-35 kg/m2
* Hemoglobin 120-160 g/L
* Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (S-TSH) \<4 mIU/L
* Serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP) \<5 mg/L
* Access to a -18⁰ C freezer
* Any medication stable for the last 14 days.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Blood donation or participation in a clinical study with blood sampling within 30 days prior to screening visit and throughout the study.
* Following any weight reduction program or having followed one during the last 6 months
* Food allergies or intolerances
* History of stomach or gastrointestinal conditions (Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, malabsorption, colostomy, bowel resection, gastric bypass surgery, Helicobacter infection, Peptic ulcer disease, untreated celiac disease, etc.)
* Previous major gastrointestinal surgery
* Pregnant or lactating or wish to become pregnant during the period of the study.
* Unable to understand written and spoken Swedish
* Lack of suitability for participation in the trial, for any reason, as judged by the medical doctor or PI.
* Pharmacological medication with drugs known to affect the microbiota, e.g., antibiotics, within 6 months prior to baseline.
* Intake of any probiotic pills or foods enriched in probiotics within 6 months prior to baseline.
* Type I diabetes
* Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
* Diarrheal disease
* Receiving pharmacological treatment for type II diabetes (treatments based on lifestyle interventions are acceptable, as long as it is compatible with the study protocol)
* Using nicotine products on a daily basis (including chewing gum, patches, snus etc.)
* History of heart failure or heart attack (TIA) within 1 year prior to screening
* Thyroid disorder
* Planned surgery within the next eight months

Where this trial is running

Gothenburg, ästra Götaland

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Metabolic Cardiovascular Syndrome

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.