The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) has opened enrollment for the Fiber Intervention Study, led by a team of human health researchers at the WHNRC and the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis, California.

In securing participants, the study team hopes to determine if adding inulin, a type of dietary fiber, raises the levels of potentially beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Adults, ages 18 to 49, who are normal weight or overweight are eligible to participate. Some exclusions apply—for example, participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the nine-week study or who are currently taking anti-inflammatory medications. In addition, participants must be willing to consume inulin or maltodextrin and an oral travel vaccine, provide fasting blood draws, and collect urine and stool samples. Qualified participants must also be available for nine onsite visits to WHNRC.

Pre-study and study visits will occur at the WHNRC, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, University of California, Davis, California 95616. If participants fully complete the study, the total compensation is $455. If only a portion of the study is completed, participants will be compensated only for the completed portions.

Adults interested in learning more about this study can contact the WHNRC study line at 530-752-5177, press #2. One of the study team members will reach out to discuss the study in detail and answer any questions.

Located on the University of California, Davis campus in the agricultural Central Valley, the WHNRC’s research primarily investigates whether and how foods and food constituents prevent obesity and chronic disease. The WHNRC uses a variety of studies to evaluate the effects of eating a high-quality diet based on recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans compared with the typical American diet.