Would you like to participate in a study on gut metabolism after a vegan protein- and fibrerich breakfast?

We are looking for you if you:

• are 18–65 years old
• have a BMI between 18.5 and 30
• are otherwise healthy without known chronic or inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases
• do not smoke or use snus
• are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• do not have a known allergy or intolerance to the study foods (e.g. wheat, oats, gluten, almond, vegetable oil or blue food coloring)
• are willing to follow fasting instructions, eat a standardized test breakfast on several occasions and provide stool samples
• are willing to swallow small medical-grade capsules that measure pH, temperature and collect small amounts of fluid in the small intestine during at least two visits.

We are conducting a study at ORU where we are investigating how a breakfast with oat protein and dietary fiber is broken down and the influence on intestinal bacteria and what substances they produce. These substances can affect, among other things, metabolism, immune defense and gastrointestinal health. The knowledge can contribute to better recommendations about plant-based diets and protein intake in the future.

What does participation entail?

The study will be conducted in 2026 at Örebro University (campus USÖ). After an initial screening visit, where you receive information about the study and fill out a health questionnaire, four breakfast visits will follow with at least one week between each. Before each breakfast visit, you will fast overnight (10–12 hours), collect stool samples at home with a simple disposable kit and fill out short questionnaires about diet, physical activity and gastrointestinal symptoms.

At the visits, you will hand in the samples and eat a standardized breakfast (oat-based protein drink and muffins with blue food coloring, with or without extra dietary fiber). The breakfast is fully vegan. You will collect more stool samples after the breakfast so that we can monitor how food passes through the intestine and how the intestinal bacteria are affected. You will also wear a glucose sensor on your skin during parts of the study, which measures blood sugar continuously. Some participants will also swallow small capsules at breakfast at at least two of the visits. The capsules are about the same size as regular pharmaceutical capsules, pass through the gastrointestinal tract and come out with the stool, where they are collected according to clear instructions. All steps are designed to be as safe and gentle as possible.