Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Bioavailability of Iodine in Plant-based Milk Alternatives

This study aims to understand how much iodine your body can get from popular plant-based milk alternatives, such as oat and soya milk, compared to regular cow's milk. Iodine is a vital mineral, usually found in seafood and dairy, that helps your body make important hormones for growth and overall health. With more people choosing plant-based milks, scientists want to make sure these alternatives provide enough iodine. We're concerned because not getting enough iodine can cause health problems, especially for pregnant women and their babies. By comparing these milks, researchers hope to give clearer advice on healthy eating.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Surrey

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2025

Iodine Deficiency

What is this study about?

Iodine is a really important nutrient that your body needs to stay healthy. It's like a building block for hormones made by your thyroid gland, which is a small gland in your neck. These hormones help control how your body grows and uses energy throughout your life. For a long time, people in the UK generally got enough iodine, mostly from dairy products like milk and cheese, and from seafood.

However, there's a growing worry that some people might not be getting enough iodine anymore. This is a particular concern because not getting enough iodine during pregnancy can affect a baby's brain development. Many people are now choosing plant-based milk alternatives, like oat or soya milk, instead of cow's milk. We don't fully understand if the iodine added to these plant milks is absorbed by the body as well as the iodine found naturally in cow's milk.

This study wants to find out exactly how much iodine your body absorbs from these different types of milk. By understanding this, researchers can give better advice about how to make sure everyone, especially those who drink plant-based milks, gets enough of this vital nutrient.

Key takeaways

Iodine is vital for healthy growth and body function.
The study compares iodine absorption from cow's, oat, and soya milks.
It aims to see if plant milks provide enough iodine for health.
Participation involves diet changes and urine collection over a few weeks.
Understanding iodine absorption helps improve public health advice.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a healthy adult, 18 years or older, and be able to speak English. You also can't have any allergies or bad reactions to cow's milk, oat milk, or soya milk, and you shouldn't be following a completely vegan diet as you'll need to drink cow's milk as part of the study.

You won't be able to take part if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, live outside the UK, or are currently in another study that changes your diet. Also, if you have any history of thyroid problems, diabetes, liver problems, high blood pressure, cancer, or any other long-term health condition, this study might not be suitable for you.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years or older and in good health?
Can you speak English and provide your agreement to participate?
Are you able to drink cow's milk, oat milk, and soya milk without allergies?
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? (If yes, you can't join.)
Do you have a history of thyroid problems or other long-term illnesses?
Are you in another study that restricts your diet?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll try three different drinks: cow's milk, soya milk, and oat milk. You'll drink one type of milk each week. The very first week, you'll drink cow's milk, and then the other two milks will be given to you in a random order over the next two weeks.

Before each test day, you'll need to follow a special diet that's low in iodine for three days. On the test day itself, you'll drink one of the milks. After drinking it, you'll keep a record of what you eat and collect all your urine for the next 24 hours. After that, you can go back to your normal diet for at least four days before you start the process again with the next test drink. This whole process will repeat for each of the three milks. The study will likely last about 4-5 weeks in total.

Potential risks and benefits

This study helps us understand more about iodine absorption, which could benefit public health advice in the future. As with any study, there are some small risks, such as having to stick to a specific diet for a few days each week and collecting urine samples, which might be a bit inconvenient. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Surrey
Guildford, United Kingdom

Common questions

Why is iodine so important?

Iodine helps your body create essential thyroid hormones, which are crucial for growth and how your body uses energy.

Why are plant-based milks being studied?

Many people now drink plant-based milks, and researchers want to ensure they provide enough iodine compared to cow's milk, to prevent health problems.

Will I have to drink all three types of milk?

Yes, to compare the iodine absorption fairly, you will drink cow's milk, oat milk, and soya milk over separate weeks.

What happens on the test day?

You'll drink one of the test milks, then keep a food diary and collect your urine for 24 hours to measure iodine absorption.

What health conditions mean I can't join?

Conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes, or being pregnant/breastfeeding would prevent you from taking part.