Nutrition research: COPLANT study welcomes 200 pregnant women in Berlin and Jena
What it's about:
With 200 pregnant women in Berlin and Jena, the ‘Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women’ module of the COPLANT study (COhort on PLANT-based diets) has reached an important milestone. The module specifically investigates nutrient intake during this sensitive stage of life. “Our aim is to build a comprehensive, robust database that provides insights into the benefits and drawbacks of a plant-based diet,” explains study leader Professor Cornelia Weikert from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment). The COPLANT study is the largest scientific investigation to date into plant-based diets in the German-speaking world. The aim is to recruit a total of 6,000 participants for the main study by the end of 2027. In addition to pregnant women in Jena and Berlin, the study is still seeking adults aged between 18 and 69 from across Germany who follow a vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian (vegetarian plus fish) or omnivorous (mixed diet) diet.
Last week, the COPLANT study team at the Centre for Human Studies of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin welcomed the 100th pregnant woman to the ‘Pregnant Women/Breastfeeding Women’ study module. Taking both study centres – Berlin and Jena – together, there are now as many as 200 pregnant women taking part. This means that half of the recruitment target of 400 pregnant women for this specific research module has already been reached. At the study centres in Berlin and Jena, nutrient intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding is being investigated as part of Germany’s largest cohort study on plant-based diets. Little is yet known about the effects of a plant-based diet on expectant mothers and their (unborn) children. The study module aims to provide important insights into possible health-related links with different dietary patterns. The aim is to identify critical nutrients across different dietary patterns during the sensitive life stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding, thereby enabling recommendations to be derived for a nutrient intake tailored to the needs of both mother and child.
Science focuses on sensitive stages of life
The ‘Pregnant Women/Breastfeeding Women’ module closes a critical data gap regarding the nutritional intake of (expectant) mothers and their (unborn) children. At the study centres in Berlin and Jena, around 400 women are closely monitored from the 30th week of pregnancy until their child’s second birthday. Over the course of five study visits, dietary records are logged via an app (NutriDiary) and biological samples (including blood, urine, placenta, stool and breast milk) are collected. The results serve as the basis for evidence-based dietary recommendations regarding optimal nutrient intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Participants wanted for the ‘Pregnant Women’ module
We are still looking for pregnant women who follow a vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian diet, or a traditional mixed diet, and who would like to support the ‘Pregnancy/Breastfeeding’ module. Expectant mothers can contact the following study centres directly:
- Berlin Study Centre
Human Studies Centre of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment)
Tel.: 030/18412-55011 | Email: coplant@bfr.bund.de/ - Jena Study Centre
Study Centre of the Institute of Nutritional Sciences at Friedrich Schiller University
Tel.: 03641/949656 | Email: coplant@uni-jena.de/
Still seeking participants for the main study
The joint project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs (BMLEH). To reach the overall target of around 6,000 participants aged between 18 and 69, the seven study centres in Berlin, Bonn, Jena, Heidelberg, Regensburg, Karlsruhe and Vienna are still looking for participants for the main study. Those interested can contact the relevant study centres directly: External Link:https://www.coplant-studie.de/en/contact/
Further information on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment website about the COPLANT study
Information on taking part in the ‘Pregnant Women/Breastfeeding Women’ study module:
https://www.coplant-studie.de/en/study-participation/pregnant-women-and-breastfeeding-mothers/
Information on taking part in the ‘kids/family’ study module:
https://www.coplant-studie.de/en/study-participation/kids-and-family/
Questions and answers about the COPLANT study:
https://www.coplant-studie.de/en/coplant-study/frequently-asked-questions/