Volunteers sought for UCC healthy bread study

University College Cork researchers are looking for volunteers in Cork to try high-vitamin bread for a health-related study.

The FamDBread study is an eight week initiative offering participants bretzel bread to be eaten every day instead of their usual bread.

The researchers are inviting families, including a minimum of one parent or guardian and one child or teenager 5-17 years of age and who regularly consume bread, to join the study focused on enhancing vitamin D status through better nutrition.

Researchers are looking to recruit 390 volunteers between now and March 2026.

All participants must sign up by the end of January.

It includes two in-person visits to UCC for blood samples to measure vitamin D levels, along with regular phone check-ins.

Colette O’Neill from UCC, who oversees the daily operations of the FamDBread study, said: “The FamDBread study is an essential initiative in Ireland to explore how everyday foods can promote better health and prevent vitamin D deficiency.

“We are excited to partner with families that are interested in contributing to science and who value good nutrition.”

The collaborative study between UCC and UCD is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.