Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The EAT-FIBRE Study.

The EAT-FIBRE study is looking into whether certain diets can affect the processes in our bodies connected to bowel cancer that starts at a younger age. Specifically, it wants to know if a "modified EatWell diet" (a healthy eating plan with more fibre) works better than the standard EatWell diet (the UK's healthy eating guide) at improving markers found in stool, blood, urine, and saliva that are linked to this type of cancer. Participants will follow one of these diets for 12 weeks. They'll have clinic visits at the start and end of the study for various tests, like providing samples and having health checks. The goal is to understand how diet could help prevent early-onset bowel cancer.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

What is this study about?

The EAT-FIBRE study is set up to explore a really important question: can what we eat affect our risk of developing bowel cancer, especially when it starts at a younger age? We know that cases of bowel cancer starting in younger people are unfortunately becoming more common, and researchers believe that lifestyle choices, like our diet, might play a big part in this. Eating more fibre has been linked to a lower risk of bowel cancer, and this study wants to dig deeper into why and how.

The research compares two types of healthy eating plans, both based on the UK's 'EatWell Guide'. One is the standard EatWell diet, which recommends around 30 grams of fibre per day. The other is a 'modified EatWell diet', which encourages even more fibre-rich foods, aiming for about 40 grams a day. The main goal is to see if this higher-fibre plan can make a bigger positive difference to certain measurements in your body – like those found in your stool, blood, urine, and saliva – that are thought to be connected to early-onset bowel cancer.

By understanding how these different diets affect your body, the study hopes to find clearer guidance on how we can use food to reduce the risk of bowel cancer that starts early. It's all about trying to find ways to keep us healthier through what we eat.

Key takeaways

The study explores how diet impacts early-onset bowel cancer risk.
It compares two healthy eating plans: standard EatWell vs. a higher-fibre version.
Participation involves 12 weeks of dietary changes and health checks.
You'll provide various samples (stool, blood, urine, saliva) during clinic visits.
Follow-up continues for 12 months with remote sample collection and questionnaires.
This research aims to find clearer dietary guidance for bowel cancer prevention.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 50 who live in the UK. If you're a woman, you shouldn't be pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant in the next four months.

To join, your usual daily fibre intake should be somewhere between 16 grams and 30 grams – not too low, not too high. You also need to be willing to include foods like wholegrains, beans, pulses, nuts, and seeds in your diet.

There are several reasons why you might not be able to take part. For example, if you have certain food allergies like gluten or nuts, have a history of an eating disorder, or have recently lost a lot of weight unintentionally. You also can't have taken certain medications recently, like strong antibiotics or medicines for fungal or viral infections, or be using some gut health supplements. If you have active or a history of significant gut problems (like Coeliac disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease), a history of most cancers, or other serious illnesses, you also won't be able to join. The research team wants to make sure the study results are clear and that it's safe for everyone involved.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 50 years old?
Do you live in the United Kingdom?
If female, are you not pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy soon?
Are you willing to eat more wholegrains, beans, pulses, nuts, and seeds?
Do you have any serious gut conditions like Coeliac disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Have you recently used strong antibiotics or other specific medications?

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

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to follow a specific healthy eating plan – either the standard EatWell diet or a modified version with more fibre – for a total of 12 weeks. You'll be told which diet to follow. During this time, you won't need to take any specific medications as part of the study; the focus is purely on your diet choices.

You'll have two clinic visits: one at the very start and another at the end of the 12 weeks. During these visits, the research team will collect samples of your stool, blood, urine, and saliva. They'll also measure your body composition (like how much muscle and fat you have), do general health checks, and ask you to fill out questionnaires about your health, diet, and lifestyle.

After the 12 weeks of dieting is over, the research will continue with a remote follow-up a year later. For this, you'll collect and send in new samples of your stool, blood, urine, and saliva from home. You'll also complete some of the health and lifestyle questionnaires again. So, while the active dieting part is 12 weeks, the full study involvement, including follow-up, extends to 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several benefits. You'll receive guidance on healthy eating based on the EatWell Guide, which might improve your overall diet and potentially your digestive health. You'll also be contributing valuable information that could help scientists understand and potentially prevent early-onset bowel cancer in the future. As with any study, there might be some minor discomforts, such as from blood samples, or the need to adjust your diet. The researchers will make sure these are kept to a minimum. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Department of Twin Research and Genetics
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'early-onset colorectal cancer'?

This is bowel cancer that is diagnosed in people at a younger age than is typical, usually before age 50.

What is the 'EatWell diet'?

It's the UK government's healthy eating guide, showing the types of foods we should eat and in what proportions for a balanced diet.

Will I know which diet I'm on?

Yes, you will be told whether you are following the standard EatWell diet or the modified higher-fibre version.

Do I need to stop taking my regular medication?

You should continue your regular medication. However, certain drugs like strong antibiotics or antifungals taken recently might mean you can't join.

Will I get my test results?

This information is not directly stated, but generally results from research studies are not shared with participants unless there is a clinical reason. You should ask the study team directly.

How to find out more

Sylvia Zanesco Zanesco, Dr

sylvia.1.zanesco@kcl.ac.uk 020 7848 4444 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.