Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

How Healthy Are Your Oats?

This study, called 'How Healthy Are Your Oats?', aims to understand both the health benefits and potential safety aspects of eating oats. Oats are known for being good for you, packed with fibre and nutrients. However, like other cereals, they can sometimes contain natural toxins called mycotoxins, made by fungi. Researchers want to see how the healthy parts of oats are absorbed by the body and how these natural toxins might also be processed. They will ask 16 healthy adults to eat a single serving of oats and then collect urine samples over the next 48 hours. This will help them learn more about how our bodies react to oats, contributing to safer food guidelines.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Aberdeen

Enrolment target

Start

02 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2027

Mycotoxin Biomonitoring

What is this study about?

Oats are a popular and healthy breakfast choice, known for being rich in fibre, vitamins, and other good-for-you compounds. Many experts recommend eating oats as part of a balanced diet, partly because the fibre in oats, called beta-glucans, has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels.

However, cereals like oats can sometimes be contaminated with natural substances called mycotoxins. These are produced by certain fungi and can be found in crops. Food safety authorities, like the European Food Safety Authority and the UK Food Standards Agency, work hard to set safe limits for these mycotoxins in food to protect people from potential health effects.

This study is part of a larger effort to understand oats fully – both their health benefits and any potential safety concerns. Researchers have already found beneficial plant compounds and mycotoxins in oats and have a basic idea of how they might be processed by the body. This particular study will look at how healthy components from oats are absorbed and used by the body, and how any mycotoxins are processed and leave the body through urine. The detailed information gathered will help inform future studies and contribute to official dietary advice and food safety standards.

Key takeaways

Supports research into oat health benefits and safety.
Only requires eating one portion of oats and collecting urine samples.
No blood tests are needed.
Helps understand how our bodies process healthy oat components and natural toxins.
Contributes to safer food guidelines and dietary advice.
Participation is for a brief 48-hour period.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a healthy adult, aged between 18 and 65, with a body mass index (BMI) in the normal or slightly overweight range (18.5 to 29.9). Both men and women can participate. You also need to be able to understand and speak English well enough to give your informed consent.

There are several reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have any ongoing stomach, liver, or kidney problems, or certain metabolic diseases like diabetes, you wouldn't be suitable. If you have an eating disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are allergic to oats, you also couldn't take part. You also shouldn't have taken antibiotics in the last three months, or be on medication for any stomach, liver, or kidney conditions.

Finally, if you currently take vitamin or mineral supplements, you'd need to be willing to stop taking them for two weeks before the study begins. You also can't be currently involved in another research study.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Do you have a healthy or slightly overweight BMI (18.5-29.9)?
Are you generally healthy, without certain gut, liver, or kidney conditions?
Can you comfortably speak and understand English?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are you not allergic to oats?

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 in this study, you will be asked to visit the study centre once. During this visit, you will be given a single portion of an oat breakfast to eat. After consuming the oats, you will be asked to collect all your urine samples over the next 48 hours. You will be provided with clear instructions and containers for this collection. No other samples, like blood tests, will be required. The total duration of your active participation will be the 48 hours during which you collect urine samples.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study contributes to important research that helps us understand the health benefits and safety of oats, potentially leading to better dietary advice for everyone. There are no direct medical benefits to you personally. The risks involved are minimal, mainly related to the minor inconvenience of collecting urine samples for two days. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care or relationship with the study team.

Locations (1)

Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Common questions

What exactly am I meant to do if I join the study?

You will eat one portion of oats at the study centre and then collect all your urine for the next 48 hours at home.

Will I have to give blood samples?

No, only urine samples are needed for this study. No blood tests or other samples will be collected.

What are 'mycotoxins'?

Mycotoxins are natural substances produced by certain types of fungi that can sometimes grow on crops like oats. Researchers are studying them to ensure food safety.

Can I eat other food during the urine collection period?

You will receive specific instructions about what you can and cannot eat or drink during the 48-hour urine collection period to ensure accurate results.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your active involvement will be for 48 hours, which is the time you'll spend collecting urine after eating the oats.