Effects of a vegan diet compared to a meat-rich diet on the hemogram and inflammatory profile in healthy individuals: a randomized-controlled study
- Conditions
- Changes in differential blood counts, parameters of the immune system and intestinal microbiome
- Registration Number
- DRKS00031541
- Lead Sponsor
- niversitätsklinikum Freiburg - Klinik für Innere Medizin II - Unizentrum Naturheilkunde
- Brief Summary
Die Studienergebnisse werden kontinuierlich veröffentlicht. Eine Studienbeschreibung (inkl. Kohortenprofil) und die Analyse eines sekundären Endpunktes (Bowel Health) wurden im Februar 2024 publiziert. Background: The beneficial effects of a plant-based diet on gut microbiota diversity are well documented, however, its impact on clinical bowel health and defecation patterns are less well understood. Vegetarian diets have been associated with a higher bowel movement (BM) frequency as well as softer stools in cross-sectional studies. The effects of the de-novo adoption of a vegan diet on bowel health, however, have never been investigated in a randomized-controlled trial. Materials and Methods: The present study examined bowel health and defecation patterns in relation to diet and nutrient intake in a young and healthy sample of n = 65 physically-active German university students who were randomly assigned to either a vegan or a meat-rich diet for eight weeks. Bowel health assessment included the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS). Nutrient intake was assessed using weighed food diaries. The study was prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00031541). Results: Weekly BM frequency slightly increased in vegans, whereas it remained unaltered in participants assigned to a meat-rich diet. Fiber intake increased significantly in vegans (34.89 (18.46) g/d) whereas it decreased in those assigned to the meat-rich group (22.79 (12.5) g/d). No significant intergroup differences in BSFS and CCFIS patterns were observed. Adoption of a vegan diet neither resulted in a transient increase in abdominal discomfort nor in a decreased gastrointestinal quality of life, which was comparable across the diet groups. Conclusions: The short-term de-novo adoption of a vegan diet did not negatively affect markers of bowel health in this study.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Complete
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 65
Men and women aged 18 to 60 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 21 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 will be included in our study.
Pregnancy and breast feeding period
Regular intake of medication (except for iodine and contraceptives)
Chronic diseases (including but not limited to): diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, cardiac diseases, chronic immune diseases (variable immunodeficiency syndrome).
Pronounced allergies (which requires the intake of regular medication during the allergy season)
Vegans, vegetarians, aversion to meat-rich or vegan diets
Eating disorders, food intolerance (e.g. fructose intolerance, gluten intolerance) and pronounced food allergies
Abuse of drugs, alcohol (>20g/day) or nicotine (daily cigarette consumption)
Participation in another clinical study within the last four weeks
Blood donations in the last four weeks
Any clinical finding that makes the participant appear unsuitable for the course of the study (based on the judgment of the study's PI)
Manifest infection within the last two weeks
Pre-existing psychiatric conditions that are incompatible with group interventions
Study & Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in the neutrophil count after an 8-week dietary intervention<br>(vegan vs. meat-rich).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method