Fiber fix for stress? new study tests Gut-Brain link
NCT ID NCT07477470
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is testing whether a daily prebiotic fiber powder can reduce stress in healthy adults with mild to severe stress. Over 12 weeks, 120 participants will take either the fiber blend or a placebo. Researchers will measure stress levels, mood, and gut health changes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- prebiotic fiber blend
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to help manage everyday stress.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 120 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect on stress may be small or no different from placebo.
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 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2028
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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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Aged 18-50 years of age * Capacity to give informed consent to participate in the study * Able to comply with study requirements and visits * Meet the criteria for mild-severe stress levels (scores between 15-33) as assessed by DASS-42 Stress Subscale * Normal or corrected to normal vision and/or hearing Exclusion Criteria: * Current smoker * Having food allergies and/or intolerances * Current diagnosis of Type 1 or 2 diabetes, cardiometabolic disease, or psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia) including eating disorders * Current or previous diagnosis of depression in past 6 months * Currently receiving medications that lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, or improve insulin sensitivity * Receiving antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications or treatments * Receiving hormonal birth control * Perimenopause or menopause * Pregnancy, lactation, or an intent to become pregnant during the course of the study * Continuous antibiotic use for \> 3 days within 1 month prior to enrolment * Continuous use of weight-loss drug for \> 1 month before screening * Major change in dietary intake in past month (e.g. excluding whole food groups) * Consuming a restricted diet, including a vegan, vegetarian, and ketogenic diet * Currently consuming daily prebiotic or probiotic supplements * Any significant GI condition affecting absorption including (but not limited to) inflammatory bowel disease, weight loss surgery, irritable bowel syndrome. * Active cancer, or treatment for any cancer, in last 3 years * Consuming more than 20g of fibre a day as assessed by the FiberScreen
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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BALANCE Study Site
RECRUITINGLondon, EC2A 4BQ, United Kingdom
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