Intermediate Wheatgrass Products and Gut Health

Overview

This study will evaluate the effect of daily consumption of intermediate wheatgrass-based products on measures of gut health compared with whole wheat-based products in healthy adults with traditional western fiber intake. Participants will first complete screening, stool sample collection, and the Diet History Questionnaire III. Participants with dietary fiber intake greater than 12g/1000 calories per day will complete the study after baseline procedures. Participants with dietary fiber intake of 12g/1000 calories per day or less will enter a randomized crossover dietary intervention. During the intervention, participants will consume intermediate wheatgrass-based products and whole wheat-based products in randomized order. Each intervention period will last 2 weeks and will be separated by a 2-week washout period. The primary outcome is change in Gut Microbiome Wellness Index. Gastrointestinal symptom scores will also be assessed.

Intermediate wheatgrass is a perennial grain that is high in protein, antioxidants, and fiber. This study is designed to evaluate whether regular consumption of intermediate wheatgrass-based products improves measures of gut health compared with whole wheat-based products in healthy adults consuming a traditional western fiber intake. The study will enroll healthy adults who are willing to consume bread products daily and have regular access to a smartphone. Participants will complete a REDCap pre-screening questionnaire. Eligible participants will complete informed consent, the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire III, and baseline stool sample collection. Participants with dietary fiber intake greater than 12g/1000 calories per day will complete participation after baseline procedures. Participants with dietary fiber intake of 12g/1000 calories per day or less will proceed to the randomized crossover dietary intervention. Participants in the crossover intervention will complete two 2-week dietary intervention periods separated by a 2-week washout period. They will be randomized to consume either intermediate wheatgrass-based products first or whole wheat-based products first. During each intervention period, participants will consume two slices of bread and 1/2 cup of puffed cereal per day. No additional dietary instruction will be provided. Gut health will be assessed using stool samples and the Gut Microbiome Wellness Index. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel movement patterns will be assessed using a modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire. Additional dietary intake information will be collected using diet recalls and a food logging smartphone application.