Dairy for Gut Health

(GutMilk Trial)

Overseen By Alain Veilleux, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Laval University

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, CVD, Cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different beverages affect gut health in individuals with abdominal obesity and slightly elevated blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Participants will consume either milk, fermented milk (a probiotic-rich dairy product), or soy beverages while adhering to a diet based on Canadian food guidelines. Researchers aim to determine if milk and fermented milk enhance gut health more than soy by examining factors such as gut bacteria and inflammation. This trial suits those with a waist size over 80 cm (for women) or 94 cm (for men) who do not have diabetes or a history of certain other health conditions. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the impact of dietary choices on gut health.

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

Research has shown that fermented milk is generally safe and might benefit gut health. No studies have found it harmful. Some research suggests it can increase the variety of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Regular milk is also considered safe, especially when pasteurized, which involves heating to kill harmful bacteria. Milk contains elements that can protect the gut. However, some studies have noted that dairy might slightly increase the risk of certain health issues, though these are uncommon.

For soy beverages, evidence shows no significant risks to gut health. In some cases, soy can positively affect gut bacteria and may help reduce inflammation.

In summary, fermented milk, regular milk, and soy beverages are generally well-tolerated, with no major safety concerns reported in studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they explore how different types of beverages—milk, fermented milk, and soy beverages—impact gut health. Unlike traditional gut health treatments that often involve supplements or medications, these options focus on everyday dietary changes. Fermented milk is of particular interest due to its probiotic content, which may offer unique benefits for balancing gut bacteria. The soy beverage presents a plant-based alternative, potentially appealing to those who are lactose intolerant or prefer non-dairy options. This trial could reveal new, simple dietary adjustments to support gut health, offering a fresh approach compared to the usual supplements.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for gut health?

This trial will compare the effects of fermented milk, milk, and soy beverages on gut health. Research has shown that fermented milk, which participants may consume, can improve gut health by increasing the variety of beneficial bacteria and alleviating digestive issues like constipation and stomach discomfort. Milk, another option in this trial, supports gut health by strengthening the gut lining. Meanwhile, research on soy beverages, also tested in this trial, suggests they can positively alter gut bacteria and help with certain digestive symptoms. Each option has shown promise in promoting gut health in different ways. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alain Veilleux, PhD

Principal Investigator

Laval University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for middle-aged adults aged 45-65 with abdominal obesity and slightly poor lipid or glucose levels. Participants should be interested in following the Canadian food guide diet. It's not suitable for those who have severe milk allergies, are lactose intolerant, or have conditions that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

IMC < 45

Waist circumference > 80 cm (Women) or 94 cm (Men)

Exclusion Criteria

Active smoking or cannabis consumption

Irregular defecation patterns

Pregnancy/lactation

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Run-in Full-Feeding Period

Standardization of participants' dietary intakes before each intervention phase

4 days

1 visit (in-person)

Dietary Intervention

Participants follow a controlled diet incorporating either soy beverages, milk, or fermented milk

10 days

3 visits (in-person) for sampling and data collection

Washout Period

Free-uncontrolled feeding period between intervention phases

14-28 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Fermented milk
• Milk
• Soy beverage

Trial Overview The study tests how different drinks—milk, fermented milk, and soy beverages—affect gut health when included in a diet based on the Canadian food guide. The goal is to see which drink leads to better gut microbiota composition, less leaky gut syndrome (trans-epithelial permeability), and reduced inflammation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Soy beverage Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

\- Consumption of a soy beverage 3 times per day during 9 days alongside CFG diet, following a 4 day control diet

Group II: Milk Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

\- Consumption of milk 3 times per day during 9 days alongside CFG diet, following a 4 day control diet

Group III: Fermented milk Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

\- Consumption of fermented milk 3 times per day during 9 days alongside CFG diet, following a 4 day control diet

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Laval University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

439

Recruited

178,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12154003/

Fermented Dairy Products as Precision Modulators of Gut ... Emerging clinical and preclinical evidence demonstrates that regular intake of fermented dairy enhances gut microbial diversity, elevates fecal ...

2. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf114/8211971

Impact of Fermented Dairy on Gastrointestinal Health and ... Improvements in GI symptoms, such as abdominal pain or discomfort, flatulence, constipation, and IBS severity, were found in most studies for ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958694625002122

Transforming gastrointestinal health with probiotic ... In conclusion, probiotic-enriched fermented milk improved defecation frequency and stool consistency in adults. The effects varied between healthy individuals ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1668889/full

Impact of fermented foods consumption on gastrointestinal ... (60) who reported an improvement of GI wellbeing upon consumption of fermented milk, the results in other studies were not usable for this review. ... Changes of ...

5. ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1750-3841.70301

The Impact of Fermented Milk Products on Gut Microbiota ... Fermented dairy products such as yogurt and kefir contain probiotic strains that can alter the microbiota and enhance the production of ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620302838

New perspectives in fermented dairy products and their ... Fermented dairy products are a source of probiotics, prebiotics and bioactive compounds. Many studies feature multiple health benefits of fermented dairy ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-020-72161-w

Safety and functional enrichment of gut microbiome in ... We, therefore, hypothesized that a fermented milk containing these three strains would have beneficial effects on digestive health in humans.

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00284-025-04061-z

Impact of Fermented Milk On Gut Microbiota And Human ... The matrix of fermented milk can protect probiotics during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract as they are mainly entrapped in the ...