Methodology
Study participants first completed an online questionnaire to determine eligibility. Those who qualified underwent further screening, including a 12-hour fasting blood test to check their cholesterol levels. Eligible participants then completed health and diet surveys, provided informed consent and submitted stool samples for analysis of their gut microbiome.

Participants consumed muffins and pita bread made from three different types of corn flour – whole-grain cornmeal, refined cornmeal and a unique blend of refined cornmeal with corn bran – for four weeks each, with breaks in between.