Effects of Dairy on Gut and Brain Health
Dairy Products to Your Gut and Brain
This study tests whether eating yogurt or milk can help healthy women with infrequent bowel movements feel better and think more clearly.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Copenhagen Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Copenhagen) |
| Trial ID | NCT06311097 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This intervention compares the effects of fermented dairy, like yogurt, and non-fermented dairy, like milk, on bowel habits and cognitive performance in healthy women who experience infrequent bowel movements. Participants will consume either dairy product daily for four weeks, followed by a washout period and then the alternative product for another four weeks. The study also includes a sub-study assessing gut and brain measures in women with different bowel movement frequencies, exploring the connections between gut health and cognitive function.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy women who report having bowel movements every other day or less.
Not a fit: Patients with gastrointestinal diseases or those currently taking medications that affect bowel function are unlikely to benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve understanding of how dietary choices impact gut health and cognitive performance, potentially leading to better dietary recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: While studies on the gut-brain axis are emerging, this specific comparison of fermented versus non-fermented dairy is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Self-reported defecations every second day or less (intervention study only) * Willing to consume 300g milk/yogurt on a daily basis (intervention study only) * Owns a smartphone (iOS 11.0 and later or Android 5.0 and up) * Understand Danish or English Exclusion Criteria: * Current pregnancy or lactation * Dairy allergy or intolerance * Prior diagnosis of psychiatric or neurological illness * Current diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or stress * Prior diagnosis of metabolic or gastrointestinal disease (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic constipation or diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), cancer, etc.) * Use of antibiotics within the last month * Use of peroral corticosteroids (inhalers excepted) * Use of medications that alter normal bowel function and metabolism (e.g., laxatives, antidiarrheal agents, narcotics, diuretics, anticonvulsants, etc.) * Use of neuroactive medications (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antiparkinsonian, etc.) * Concurrent participation in another trial * Any condition that makes the project responsible researcher doubt the feasibility of the volunteer´s participation
Where this trial is running
Copenhagen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports — Copenhagen, Denmark (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Henrik M Roager, PhD
- Email: hero@nexs.ku.dk
- Phone: +4535324928
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.