BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Nestlé Health Science has launched a new long-term research initiative to better understand how lifestyle factors, particularly dietary fiber consumption, influence the human gut microbiome and related health outcomes.
The 16-week observational study, called FIBER-IMPACT, will enroll 60 healthy adults and their household members. Participants will supplement their diets with chia seeds, provide stool and blood samples, complete daily dietary and stress surveys, and submit meal photos. The study aims to understand how everyday habits influence the gut microbiome over time, rather than relying only on carefully controlled clinical settings.
According to Nestlé Health Science, the research will examine how dietary fiber influences gut spore colony-forming units (SCFU), assess the effect of stress, identify host biomarkers, and investigate connections between microbiome composition, metabolomic features, and overall health. The company stated that the goal is to generate insights that could guide future nutrition strategies to support digestive and immune health.
The study is led by Dr. Jason Goldsmith, senior director of clinical operations and microbiome sciences at Nestlé Health Science, and includes experts from Cleveland Clinic, the University of California, Irvine, and health technology company Coprata.
“This research will help unlock how daily habits and nutrition shape the microbiome, paving the way for future breakthroughs,” Goldsmith said.
Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Thaddeus Stappenbeck, chair of inflammation and immunity, said the collaboration aims to translate foundational discoveries about gut bacteria and immune health into real-world applications that could ultimately support disease prevention strategies. UC Irvine’s Dr. Katrine Whiteson added that prior research has shown dietary fiber plays a powerful role in shaping the microbiome, and the study is designed to test a practical, achievable intervention in everyday life.
The study will use Coprata’s digital tracking platform and stool sampling tools, which Nestlé Health Science says are designed to make participation easier than traditional microbiome studies. All sample collection and data gathering will be performed under Institutional Review Board oversight to protect participant safety and data privacy, and participants will be compensated for their time.
Additional information about the study and enrollment options can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov. Nestlé Health Science also announced that it is inviting more academic partners to collaborate on future microbiome research initiatives through its medical affairs program. More information can be found on the NHS Medical Affairs website.
The company stated that findings from the FIBER-IMPACT study could help guide future product development and clinical research across its portfolio of science-based nutrition, medical nutrition, and supplement offerings, as interest in gut health continues to grow among consumers and healthcare providers.
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