Study on the Effects of a Fiber- and Polyphenol-Rich Diet on Brain Inflammation in Perimenopausal Women with Overweight or Obesity

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying women during the perimenopausal transition who are living with overweight or obesity to see if a special diet can improve brain health. The study focuses on how changes in gut bacteria through diet might reduce inflammation in the brain, which is linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk. This trial aims to explore the effects of a fiber- and polyphenol-rich diet on brain inflammatory processes in this group of women. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for six months. One group will receive a personalized daily powder containing either 7.5g or 15g of inulin plus 200mg resveratrol and 320mg quercetin, taken with main meals in the first half of the day. The other group will get an equal-calorie placebo powder made of maltodextrin. The dose of inulin is chosen based on each participants gut microbiome at the study start. Throughout the study, women will have brain MRI scans before and after the 26-week intervention to assess inflammation-related brain markers. They will also undergo neuropsychological tests, body measurements, and complete questionnaires. Blood and stool samples will be collected for analysis of gut bacteria and metabolites. Researchers will measure changes in brain inflammation, blood-brain barrier function, and memory. The primary outcome is a brain white matter inflammation marker measured by diffusion-weighted MRI.

Effects of a 6-months Fiber- and Polyphenol-rich Diet on Brain Inflammatory Processes in Perimenopausal Women Living With Overweight or Obesity