BALANCE Study: Beneficial Effects of A Diverse Prebiotic Fibre bLend on Affect, iNflammation, Cognition, and the Gut microbiomE

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-50 years of age
• Capacity to give informed consent to participate in the study
• Able to comply with study requirements and visits
• Meet the criteria for mild-severe stress levels (scores between 15-33) as assessed by DASS-42 Stress Subscale
• Normal or corrected to normal vision and/or hearing

Exclusion criteria

• Current smoker
• Having food allergies and/or intolerances
• Current diagnosis of Type 1 or 2 diabetes, cardiometabolic disease, or psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia) including eating disorders
• Current or previous diagnosis of depression in past 6 months
• Currently receiving medications that lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, or improve insulin sensitivity
• Receiving antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications or treatments
• Receiving hormonal birth control
• Perimenopause or menopause
• Pregnancy, lactation, or an intent to become pregnant during the course of the study
• Continuous antibiotic use for \> 3 days within 1 month prior to enrolment
• Continuous use of weight-loss drug for \> 1 month before screening
• Major change in dietary intake in past month (e.g. excluding whole food groups)
• Consuming a restricted diet, including a vegan, vegetarian, and ketogenic diet
• Currently consuming daily prebiotic or probiotic supplements
• Any significant GI condition affecting absorption including (but not limited to) inflammatory bowel disease, weight loss surgery, irritable bowel syndrome.
• Active cancer, or treatment for any cancer, in last 3 years
• Consuming more than 20g of fibre a day as assessed by the FiberScreen