Rice and beans together or just within a day? study tests protein timing
NCT ID NCT07151625
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether you need to eat complementary plant proteins—like rice and beans—at the same meal to get all the amino acids your body needs. Researchers will give 40 healthy young and older adults five different diets over nine days each and measure how their bodies build and break down protein. The goal is to see if protein complementation matters at each meal or if getting the right amino acids over a full day is enough.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Diet (whole food provided over 5 periods)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could clarify whether you need to combine plant proteins at every meal or just within a day, helping people plan healthier plant-based diets.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It measures short-term protein metabolism, not long-term health outcomes.
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 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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 79 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: * 1\) Young Adults: * Adults, age 18 - 39 yrs, Healthy with no known clinical condition which would affect protein or AA metabolism, ex. Diabetes, Stable Body Weight (no more than 5 lb weight loss or gain in the past 3 months) * Not on any medications that could affect protein or amino acid metabolism e.g. steroids. * Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), urea and creatinine within normal ranges for age. 2\) Older Adults: * Adults, aged 60-69 and 70-79 years, Healthy with no known clinical condition which would affect protein or AA metabolism, ex. Diabetes, Stable Body Weight (no more than 5 lb weight loss or gain in the past 3 months) * Not on any medications that could affect protein or amino acid metabolism e.g. steroids, * Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), urea and creatinine within normal ranges for age. Exclusion Criteria: * Unwillingness to participate or unable to tolerate the diet * Recent history of weight loss within the last 3 months or on a weight reducing diet Inability to tolerate study diets (ex. Allergy to ingredients). * Significant caffeine consumption (\>2 cups per day) * Significant alcohol consumption (\>1 drink per day i.e. 1 beer or ½ glass of wine). * Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), urea and creatinine outside of normal ranges for age. * On medications known to affect protein and AA metabolism, renal failure, liver disease, unable to ambulate independently.
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Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Each participant will be studied over 5 dietary periods, each over 9D are added.
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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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The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada