Diet Composition for Healthy Eating

(MUTT Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: David Baer

Must not be taking: Appetite suppressants

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Kidney disease, Liver disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 5 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to identify the best methods for changing eating habits to improve public health by testing various diet compositions. It examines how these diets can influence flavor perception and taste preferences. Participants will follow one of several diets, each with a unique macronutrient composition. Ideal candidates are those who are neither underweight nor severely obese, have no known allergies to study foods, and do not adhere to restrictive diets such as vegan or vegetarian. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on diet and health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those who have used medications affecting taste within one month prior to the study.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that certain diets can affect health based on their mix of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. However, specific safety information for Diet composition 1, 2, or 3 is not available.

Studies have shown that diet changes usually focus on controlling calorie intake and balancing nutrients. Risks or side effects are likely related to how the body adapts, such as changes in weight or energy levels.

Although specific safety data for these diets is lacking, they are based on common dietary elements generally safe for most people. This suggests that the diets in the trial are also likely safe and well-tolerated.

Consulting a healthcare provider is advisable before making significant dietary changes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these diet compositions because they explore unique macronutrient balances that differ from typical dietary recommendations. Unlike standard diets, which often focus on general calorie intake or specific macronutrient targets, these experimental diets are precisely formulated to test the effects of varying macronutrient compositions on health. Diet composition 1, for instance, has a unique balance that sets it apart from compositions 2 and 3, each designed to test different nutritional hypotheses. This trial aims to uncover how these specific macronutrient tweaks can influence health outcomes, potentially leading to more personalized and effective dietary guidelines.

What evidence suggests that this trial's diet compositions could be effective for altering flavor perception and preference?

Research shows that different eating habits can affect health in various ways. In this trial, participants will be assigned to one of the diet compositions under study. For Diet Composition 1, studies have highlighted that eating a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease. For Diet Composition 2, evidence suggests that a balanced diet with less than 30% fat and low sugar can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Diet Composition 3 emphasizes mostly plant-based foods with some animal products, which has been linked to healthier aging and a lower risk of chronic diseases. Overall, these eating plans aim to improve health by changing food choices and eating habits. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Paul Wise, PhD

Principal Investigator

Monell Chemical Senses Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for individuals interested in healthy eating. The trial aims to include participants who are willing to try different diets that change their usual intake of carbohydrates. Specific eligibility criteria were not provided, so it's best to contact the researchers for details on who can join.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline

Participants undergo baseline measurements and assessments

1 month

Weekly visits (in-person)

Treatment

Participants follow a specified diet with different macronutrient compositions

5 months

Monthly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in taste perception and food preference

1 month

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Diet composition 1
• Diet composition 2
• Diet composition 3
• Diet composition 4

Trial Overview The Monell USDA Taste Test Study is testing three different diet compositions to see how they affect taste perception and preference for flavors in foods and beverages. It explores whether gradual or abrupt changes in diet are more effective at improving dietary patterns.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Diet composition 3 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A diet with a specified macronutrient composition different from arms 1 and 2, based on the current information about the US macronutrient composition.

Group II: Diet composition 2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A diet with a specified macronutrient composition different from arms 1 and 3.

Group III: Diet composition 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A diet with a specified macronutrient composition different from arms 2 and 3.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

David Baer

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

150+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Monell Chemical Senses Center

Collaborator

Trials

22

Recruited

2,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The increasing use of health foods for disease prevention has raised concerns about potential risks, as many consumers are unaware of the adverse effects that can arise from inappropriate use, such as combining multiple health foods or mixing them with medications.

To address these safety concerns, the Health Foods Network (HFNet) was created as an online database to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based information on the safety and effectiveness of health foods, aiming to improve patient consultations and promote safe usage.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Information System on the Safety and Effectiveness of Health Foods and Recent Topics]. Chiba, T.[2019]

In a study of hospitalized patients at nutrition risk, combining a protein-enriched menu with individualized dietary counseling led to 92% of patients meeting over 75% of their energy requirements, compared to 76% in the historical intervention group.

The intervention group also showed a significant increase in mean energy and protein intake, with 31 kcal/kg and 1.2 g protein/kg, respectively, indicating that this combined approach is more effective than using a protein-enriched menu alone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

From Evidence to Clinical Practice: Positive Effect of Implementing a Protein-Enriched Hospital Menu in Conjunction With Individualized Dietary Counseling. Munk, T., Bruun, N., Nielsen, MA., et al.[2018]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071223/

Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of ... This review describes the features and supporting clinical and epidemiologic data for diets that have been shown to prevent disease and/or positively influence ...

2. who.int who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet

Healthy diet A healthy diet helps to protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s43016-025-01177-0

The Healthy Diet Basket is a valid global standard that ... It is a set of six food groups (starchy staples, vegetables, fruits, animal-source foods, legumes, nuts and seeds, and oils and fats) in the ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1499404623005237

Dietary Patterns and Health: Insights From NESR ... This perspective article shares unique insights from the extensive experience of the US Department of Agriculture Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review branch

5. dietaryguidelines.gov dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf

2020-2025 Healthy Eating on A Budget1 can help women and families plan and prepare healthy, inexpensive meals. Other Government and non-Government resources, such as ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-2021-bb80f

Diet Composition for Healthy Eating (MUTT Trial) There is no specific safety data available for the diet composition treatment under the names Diet composition 1, 2, 3, or 4. However, general safety ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8578605/

Diet composition influences the metabolic benefits of short ... Diet composition, calories, and fasting times contribute to the maintenance of health. However, the impact of very low-calorie intake (VLCI) ...

8. rsc.org rsc.org/suppdata/d3/fo/d3fo03153e/d3fo03153e1.pdf

Supplementary table 1: The diet composition and dietary ... Supplementary table 2: The detailed organ weight and organ index data expressed in average ± SEM for all experimental groups. Groups. Name/. Parameters.

9. fda.gov fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-estimating-dietary-intake-substances-food

Guidance on Estimating Dietary Intake of Substances in Food Provides general recommendations for calculating and submitting estimates of dietary intake to support the documentation of the safety of substances introduced ...

10. osha.gov osha.gov/publications/osha3514.html

Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required for hazardous chemicals to communicate hazard information. They include chemical properties, hazards, protective measures ...