Fermented foods may boost bone health in vegans

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female, aged 28-43years. * Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m². * Premenopausal, with regular menstrual cycles. \* * Adherence to a vegan diet for ≥1 year, confirmed by questionnaire. * Willingness to consume both fermented and non-fermented plant-based study foods. * Ability to comply with all study procedures, including run-in, washout, sample collection, and clinic visits. * Signed written and oral informed consent. * Regular menstrual cycles are defined as spontaneous menstrual bleeding occurring every 21-35 days, with cycle-to-cycle variability not exceeding 7-9 days over the prior three months, and bleeding duration of 3-8 days, in the absence of hormonal contraception or endocrine disorders. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic diseases or conditions affecting bone metabolism (e.g., osteoporosis, thyroid disorders, chronic kidney and liver disease, menstrual cycles disorders affecting bone health, conditions associated with malabsorption). * History of diagnosed eating disorders. * Chronic inflammatory or gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., IBD, celiac disease). * Recent antibiotic use (within 3 months prior to screening). * Use of Vitamin D supplements exceeding 2000 IU/day. * Abnormal DXA results (T-score ≤ -2.5). * Pregnancy, intention to become pregnant, or lactation during the course of the study * Use of hormonal contraceptives. * Use of medications influencing bone metabolism (e.g., glucocorticoids, antiresorptives). * BMI \<18.5 or \>24.9 kg/m². * Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse * Inability to follow the procedures of the studies, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant or anticipated prolonged absence (e.g. extended travel). * Participation in another clinical study within the last 3 months. * Known allergy or intolerance to study foods.