Scientists track food DNA's journey through the human gut

NCT ID NCT06687226

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study at Duke University will track how quickly DNA from food passes through the digestive system. Twenty healthy adults will eat a special powder mix and then provide stool samples over several days. Researchers will measure food DNA in the samples to see how fast it travels and disappears.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
reconstitutable food powder (Gatorade Zero with camu camu, kelp, or maqui)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help scientists understand how food DNA moves through the gut and how it might affect nutrient absorption and gut bacteria.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 20 healthy people, so results may not apply to everyone. It simply measures digestion speed, not a treatment or cure.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Medical Sciences Research Building III (MSRB III)

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States