Honey-Flavored Yogurt for Inflammation

Overseen By Robert R Holt, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Must not be taking: Anticoagulants, NSAIDs, Supplements

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Heart disease, Cancer, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines the effects of consuming honey-flavored yogurt daily for four weeks on inflammation and stress in the body. Researchers compare honey-sweetened yogurt to sugar-sweetened yogurt to determine which more effectively reduces inflammation and stress markers. The goal is to understand how diet might alter inflammation and stress levels. Women who have been postmenopausal for at least two years and have a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 may be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to valuable research on diet and health without the constraints of traditional clinical trial phases.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking any prescription drugs or supplements, except for a general formula of vitamins and minerals that meet the recommended daily allowance (RDA), at least a month before joining the study.

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

Research shows that honey-flavored yogurt is generally safe to eat. Studies have found that adding honey to yogurt not only sweetens it but also promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a healthy digestive system.

Yogurt is also known to boost the immune system and help manage cholesterol levels. While research hasn't identified specific safety issues with honey-flavored yogurt, it's important to remember that honey is a natural sweetener and is usually well-tolerated by most people.

Overall, both honey and yogurt are common foods that have been safely consumed for a long time. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about honey-flavored yogurt for inflammation because it offers a natural alternative to traditional anti-inflammatory drugs. Unlike standard treatments that often involve medications like NSAIDs and corticosteroids, this approach uses honey, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties. The treatment is administered in a simple, tasty form by mixing honey into yogurt, making it an accessible and pleasant option for daily consumption. Additionally, honey's unique compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, may provide health benefits beyond inflammation reduction, potentially supporting overall well-being.

What evidence suggests that honey-flavored yogurt could be an effective treatment for inflammation?

Research shows that honey offers many health benefits, such as fighting germs, reducing swelling, and protecting cells from damage. Studies suggest that honey can help beneficial bacteria in yogurt survive in the gut, potentially improving digestion and strengthening the immune system. In this trial, participants will receive either honey-sweetened yogurt or sugar-sweetened yogurt. Consuming honey-flavored yogurt might help control swelling and damage caused by harmful molecules in the body. Together, honey and yogurt could enhance overall health by reducing harmful substances and increasing beneficial ones in the body. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Carl L Keen, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis; Department of Nutrition

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for postmenopausal women aged 45-65 with a BMI of 25.0 - 30.0 kg/m2 who are willing to follow the study protocols. It's not suitable for those with recent cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver or kidney issues, certain dietary restrictions (vegans/vegetarians), or taking various supplements and medications.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a woman aged 45-65 and have gone through menopause.

Subject is willing to participate in all study procedures

I have not had a menstrual period for at least two years.

Exclusion Criteria

You regularly engage in intense exercise.

You are not allowed to use concentrated food supplements, powders, or extracts during the study.

I take daily medication to thin my blood, including aspirin or NSAIDs.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 2 morning servings of honey-flavored or sugar-flavored yogurt daily for 4 weeks

4 weeks

Weekly check-ins (virtual)

Washout

A one-month washout period between crossover phases

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Honey-flavored Yogurt
• Sugar sweetened yogurt

Trial Overview The study aims to compare the effects of honey-flavored yogurt versus sugar-sweetened yogurt on inflammation and gut health over four weeks. It will measure changes in inflammatory markers, oxidative stress levels, metabolism, and gut microbiome in middle-aged women.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Honey sweetened yogurt Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

1 tbsp. of honey in 0.6 cup (150g) of plain yogurt. The participants will be asked to consume 2 morning servings of the yogurt for a total of 2 tbsp. of the assigned honey per day.

Group II: Sugar sweetened yogurt Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sugar will be added to 0.6 cup (150g) of plain yogurt in an isocaloric amount compared to the honey. The participants will be asked to consume 2 morning servings of the yogurt per day.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 37 healthy participants over two 4-week trials, honey consumption led to significantly lower energy, carbohydrate, and sugar intake compared to sucrose, suggesting it may be a healthier alternative.

While both honey and sucrose initially raised serum triglyceride levels, only sucrose maintained this elevation after 4 weeks, indicating that honey may have a more favorable impact on lipid profiles over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Honey does not adversely impact blood lipids of adult men and women: a randomized cross-over trial. Al-Tamimi, AM., Petrisko, M., Hong, MY., et al.[2021]

A survey of 47 yogurt samples from six brands in mid-Michigan revealed significant variations in protein, fat, and total solids content, indicating a lack of consistency in yogurt composition.

About 25% of the yogurt samples were found to be overweight by more than 6.6%, and 10.6% weighed less than the declared net weight, suggesting a need for better quality control in commercial yogurt products.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yogurt - A Compositional Survey in the Greater Lansing Area 1. Richmond, ML., Chandan, RC., Stine, CM.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9367972/

The Potential of Honey as a Prebiotic Food to Re-engineer the ... Honey has numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. ...

2. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/2210

Effect of Honey Concentration on the Quality and ... This study investigates the impact of honey concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) on the physicochemical, sensory, textural, rheological, and antioxidant properties ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9182764/

Functional Yogurt Fortified with Honey Produced by Feeding ... Functional yogurt fortified with honey produced by feeding bees natural plant extracts for controlling human blood sugar level.

4. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20240805/Honey-enhances-probiotic-survival-in-yogurt.aspx

Honey enhances probiotic survival in yogurt "Our findings showed that pairing honey with yogurt supported the survival of the yogurt's probiotic bacteria in the gut, so the lab study ...

5. clinicaltrials.ucbraid.org clinicaltrials.ucbraid.org/trial/NCT04248127

Influence of Honey-flavored Yogurt on Low-grade ... A randomized, double-blind, crossover dietary intervention trial will test the effects of 4 weeks of daily honey-flavored yogurt intake on markers of ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10942848/

Honey Varietals Differentially Impact Bifidobacterium ... Higher B. animalis survivability was observed in yogurt with clover honey after exposure to simulated intestinal fluids (∼3.5 Log CFU/g reduction; P < 0.05) ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/365742276_The_Health_Effects_of_Yogurt_and_Its_Safety_Hazards

The Health Effects of Yogurt and Its Safety Hazards Yogurt has been shown to promote immunity, help maintain a healthy gut microbiota in the digestion system, and control serum cholesterol.