This post comes from our collaborator at the University of Oregon, Dr. Gwynne Mhuireach. Dr. Mhuireach has previously worked with our lab and local gardeners to document soil microbial communities and the extent to which gardening transfers microbes from the soil to gardeners’ skin, thereby affecting the skin microbiome!
At the conclusion of the skin microbiome study, many gardeners asked for more information on how gardening affects the gut microbiome. Dr. Mhuireach received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a pilot study to answer this question. Gardeners in Linn and Lane counties are specifically invited to apply.
The deadline to apply for this NEW study is August 15th.
We are looking for healthy adult gardeners to participate in a research study exploring the microbiota of fresh fruits and vegetables from gardens and supermarkets, and their potential to influence the gut microbiome. To be eligible, you must be between the ages of 18 and 45, fluent in English, live in Lane or Linn counties, and have access to a garden that can provide sufficient fruits and vegetables for the dietary intervention. Participants will receive $50 at the start of the study, $50 at the end, and a $75 allowance to purchase fruits and vegetables at the supermarket.
Study Activities: If you participate, you will be asked to complete two one-week dietary intervention periods during which you will consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables by the United States Department of Agriculture. During one period, all products must come from your garden, and during the other period, the same products must come from a supermarket. You will also be asked to plan your meals for the intervention periods, complete a lifestyle, health and diet questionnaire, keep a daily fruit and vegetable diary, collect samples of all fruits and vegetables you eat, collect stool samples and take a tap water sample. The total duration of participation is 24 days, with an estimated average commitment of 20 to 30 minutes per day.
Potential Risks: Participants will be exposed to microorganisms found in garden and supermarket produce, however, this exposure occurs during normal daily life. There is also a risk of breach of privacy or confidentiality, although precautions will be taken to avoid such incidents.
Benefits: There are no direct benefits to participating in this study.
To find out if you are eligible, please use this Qualtrics link (https://oregon.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Gn0UOtZEbzWEh8) to complete a brief screening survey. More information is available at www.gffstudy.com.
Concept of healthy eating from farm to table on a floor background.
