Dairy vs Plant-Based Alternatives for Blood Sugar Levels

Overseen By Corrina Zhou, MSc

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Toronto

Must not be taking: Supplements affecting study

Disqualifiers: Smoking, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 2 weeks

160 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how dairy and plant-based products affect blood sugar and nutrient quality. Participants will consume both types of products and then eat a pizza meal to observe their body's response. Ideal candidates are healthy individuals without diabetes who meet specific criteria, such as being between the ages of 14-18 or 60-75 and willing to maintain their normal diet. During the trial, participants will complete questionnaires and provide blood samples. Compensation for time and travel will be provided. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to nutritional science and understand how different foods impact 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 mentions that you cannot take any drugs or supplements that might affect the study's outcome. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the study team.

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

Research shows that both dairy and plant-based alternatives are generally safe to consume and can help manage blood sugar and insulin levels.

Studies have found that dairy products have a low glycemic index, meaning they don't cause a significant spike in blood sugar levels. Milk products can aid the body in releasing insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. However, some evidence suggests that excessive dairy consumption might slightly raise fasting blood sugar.

Conversely, plant-based alternatives are linked to lower fasting blood sugar levels. Consuming more plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts, can enhance blood sugar control. Plant-based diets can also improve insulin utilization, making blood sugar management easier.

Both options have demonstrated positive effects on blood sugar management and are considered safe for healthy individuals, including those in this study. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about exploring how dairy and plant-based alternatives affect blood sugar levels because they offer everyday dietary options that could be more accessible and sustainable compared to traditional medications. Unlike standard treatments for blood sugar control, which often involve medications like metformin or insulin, these options provide a natural and dietary approach to management. Dairy and plant-based products have different nutrient profiles, which might uniquely influence blood sugar regulation, potentially offering a new way to manage or prevent issues related to blood sugar levels. By understanding these effects, people might have the opportunity to use everyday food choices as a tool in managing their health.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for blood sugar regulation?

This trial will compare the effects of dairy products and plant-based alternatives on blood sugar levels. Research has shown that consuming more dairy products might help lower blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest that proteins in dairy, such as casein and whey, improve the body's ability to use sugar by reducing insulin resistance. Meanwhile, plant-based diets have also been found to help control blood sugar. They are associated with lower fasting blood sugar levels and can reduce diabetes-related risks. Both dairy and plant-based diets offer potential benefits for managing blood sugar, but the best option may vary for each individual. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

G. Harvey Anderson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Toronto

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Healthy adolescents (14-18) and older adults (60-75), non-diabetic, are invited to join this study at the University of Toronto. Participants will compare dairy with plant-based alternatives' effects on blood sugar and nutrient quality over a minimum of 2 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria

My BMI is slightly above average but not obese.

Willing to maintain habitual diet, physical activity pattern, and body weight throughout the study

Willing to maintain current dietary supplement use throughout the study. On study visit days, subject agrees not to take any supplements until dismissal from the Nutrition Intervention Center

Exclusion Criteria

Smoking

I have had a GI disorder or surgery in the last year.

Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure >120mmHg, diastolic blood pressure >80mmHg) as defined by the average blood pressure measured at screening

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Approximately 30 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume either a dairy or a plant-based alternative product, as well as a pizza meal, and provide blood samples and fill out questionnaires.

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dairy vs Plant-based Alternatives

Trial Overview The trial tests how dairy products versus plant-based alternatives affect blood sugar control and appetite in young and elderly individuals. It involves fasting, consuming test meals, providing blood samples, and filling out questionnaires during three visits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Plant-based alternative Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will consume 2 servings of a commercially available plant-based alternative product.

Group II: Dairy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will consume 2 servings of a commerically available dairy product.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6416042/

Increased Dairy Product Intake Modifies Plasma Glucose ... The results of the present systematic review suggest that increasing dairy intake might be beneficial to improve HbA1c (MD: −0.09%); however, the reduction ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299124024041

Dairy Intake in Relation to Prediabetes and Continuous ... This study aims to investigate the relationships between the intake of different dairy types, prediabetes risk, and continuous glycemic outcomes.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855942/

The Impact of Dairy Products in the Development of Type 2 ... The results showed that ingestion of 0.5 L/d whole milk did not adversely affect fasting glucose or insulin compared with skimmed milk. Thus, ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/9/2237

The Effects of Dairy Intake on Insulin Resistance Proteins in dairy foods such as casein and whey have been shown to have effects in reducing insulin resistance, hypertension, arterial stiffness, and LDL ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1512493/full

Comparative efficacy of dietary interventions for glycemic ... This network meta-analysis suggests that the DASH and Low-GI diets may be beneficial for managing gestational diabetes mellitus.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9914410/

Glycemic Responses of Milk and Plant-Based Drinks: Food ... A low glycemic index (15–30) and a high insulinemic index (90–98) were found in all milk products, whereas for the lactose solution, a higher glycemic index and ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322009140

Dairy Foods and Dairy Proteins in the Management of Type ... The clinical evidence regarding both dairy foods and dairy proteins (ie, casein and whey protein) have shown promise for improving insulin secretion in ...

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.997636/full

Association between dairy consumption and the risk of ... Among the total participants, dairy consumption of about 25–65 g/day was associated with a decreased risk of diabetes (HR < 1, P = 0.025), then the risk of ...

9. webmd.com webmd.com/diabetes/what-to-know-about-diabetes-and-milk

What to Know About Diabetes and Milk Drinking too much milk may cause a spike in your blood sugar. By eating a consistent amount of carbs throughout the day, you can keep a steady ...