Can almond, soy, or oat milk match dairy for nutrient absorption?
NCT ID NCT05898217
First seen Aug 28, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing how well the body absorbs vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and magnesium from almond, soy, and oat milks compared with cow's milk. Healthy adults will avoid dairy and vitamin D-fortified foods for three weeks, then drink one type of milk daily for a week. Blood and urine samples will measure nutrient levels after each intake. The study aims to show whether plant-based milks can serve as true nutritional substitutes for dairy.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Plant-based milks (almond, soy, oat) compared with dairy milk
- What this could lead to
- If plant-based milks deliver nutrients as well as dairy, people who avoid cow's milk could make better-informed choices for their bone health.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, short-term study in healthy adults, so results may not apply to everyone. Absorption differences may be small or vary by brand and fortification.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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25 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * BMI of 20.0-40.0 kg/m2, inclusive and a weight ≥ 110 lb. at the screening visit. * Nonsmokers (Past smokers can be allowed if they have abstinence for minimum of 12 months) * Judged to be in good health on the basis of the medical history i.e., no clinical evidence of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal or hepatic disease * Not taking any medications that would interfere with outcomes of the study, i.e. proton pump inhibitors, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, vitamin D * Willing to discontinue any multivitamin, vitamin or mineral supplements for three weeks immediately after date of the screening * Able to provide informed consent * Able to comply and perform the procedures requested by the protocol (including dietary restrictions, consumption of study treatments, records of food diary and GI tract questionnaire, sample collection procedures and study visit schedule) * Able to maintain usual physical activity pattern * Able to avoid vigorous physical activity, caffeine, and alcohol for 24 hours prior to and during study visit Exclusion Criteria: * Men and women who smoke or vape (including marijuana) * Men and women with known or suspected intolerance, allergies or hypersensitivity to study foods or treatments * Men and women who have blood pressure \>160 mmHg (systolic)/100 mmHg (diastolic) at screening visit * Men and women who have fasting blood glucose concentration \>125 mg/dL at screening visit * Men and women with documented vascular disease, e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina, related surgeries, etc. that, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with the interpretation of the study results * Men and women with history of weight loss surgery or intestinal surgery which can impact digestion * Men and women with osteoporosis * Men and women diagnosed with chronic constipation, diarrhea or other chronic gastrointestinal complaint (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) * Women who are known to be pregnant or who are intending to become pregnant over the course of the study * Women who are lactating * Taking medication or dietary supplements that may interfere with the outcomes of the study; e.g.,multivitamin, B complex supplement. Subjects may choose to go off dietary supplements (requires three week washout for multivitamin, three months for vitamin D supplements) before beginning the study. * Men and women who have participated in prebiotics or laxative trial within 3 months prior to enrollment or any other clinical trial within 1 month * Men and women who have regularly taken Vitamin D supplements in the past 3 months * Major trauma or a surgical event within 2 months or longer depending on trauma or event and after consultation with PI. * Vegan or other extreme dietary regimens (e.g., Atkins diet, etc.) as judged by the investigator. * Has a known intolerance or sensitivity to any ingredients in the study products * Has used antibiotics within the previous 2 months * Had colonoscopy within 3 months * Has used prebiotics, probiotics, or drugs active on gastrointestinal motility, or a laxative of any class within 1 month * History of an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating) diagnosed by a health professional * Substance (alcohol or drug) abuse within the last 2 years * Excessive coffee and tea consumers (\> 4 cups/d) * Donated blood within last 3 months * Men and women who do excessive exercise regularly or are an athlete * Unstable weight: gained or lost weight +/- 5 kg (11 lbs) in previous 2 months * Women who are taking unstable dose and brand of hormonal contraceptives and/or stable dose and brand less than 6 months * Unusual working hours i.e., working overnight (e.g. 3rd shift
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Clinical Nutrition Research Center Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, Illinois, 60616, United States
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