Effects of Distinct Nebraska-Dry Bean Market Classes on Gut Microbiota

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN · Apr 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different types of Nebraska dry beans affect our gut health. Beans are known for being good for digestion and overall health, but there are many kinds of beans that may have varying effects on the gut. In this study, researchers will compare two specific types of beans—pink beans and great northern beans—as well as a mix of different beans to see how they influence gut bacteria, blood pressure, and other health aspects in adults, both with and without obesity.

To participate, you need to be between 19 and 50 years old, and if you're a woman, you should not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should also have a stable weight and not have made major dietary changes recently. Participants will need to be able to wear a blood pressure monitor and collect stool samples for the study. If you meet these criteria and are interested in learning more about how beans can impact your health, this could be a great opportunity to contribute to important research!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Aged 19 to 50 years.
• • 2. Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant (Females Only).
• • 3. Stable body mass index (BMI) of either 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 or 27.0-39.9 kg/m2 for the last month.
• • 4. Has not made any major dietary changes in the last month.
• • 5. Able to read and speak English
• • 6. Requires no legally authorized representative (LAR).
• • 7. Not institutionalized (e.g., prison, psychological treatment center, etc.).
• • 8. Able to wear ambulatory blood pressure monitor and limit physical activity over a 24-hr. period.
• • 9. Have a bowel movement at least every other day.
• • 10. Able to collect and deliver stool samples to Innovation Campus within 4 hours of collection.
• • 11. No known allergies or intolerance to beans.
• • 12. Able to avoid consuming beans during the study, except for the provided beans (up to 1.5 cups/day).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Has a cardiac device.
• • 2. History of organ transplant
• • 3. History of gastrointestinal surgery or disease diagnosed by a physician that involves the stomach, small, and large intestines (e.g., IBD, IBS, chronic constipation, diverticulosis, gastric bypass).
• • 4. Recent history of cancer (excluding skin cancer) in the last year.
• • 5. Current use of tobacco or vaping.
• • 6. Current or recent use (last 3 weeks) of digestive enzymes, laxatives, dietary fiber, prebiotic, or probiotic supplements.
• • 7. Medication or supplement regimen or dosage changed within the last 2 months or 3 weeks, respectively.
• • 8. Taken antibiotics in the last 2 months.
• • 9. Known allergies or intolerances to beans.
• • 10. BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (normoweight): Current use of oral or injectable medications for the treatment of most chronic conditions.
• • 11. BMI 27.0-39.9 kg/m2 (overweight): Current use of oral or injectable medications for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, or autoimmune.