Researchers analyze how supplements and functional foods influence weight loss and obesity control.
The research center is seeking overweight volunteers for three projects that combine nutritional support and healthy products.
20 | 01 | 2026
According to data the latest survey and Living Conditionssurvey in Navarre, 48% of the adult population is overweight, with a higher prevalence in men than in women and a clear increase with age. This trend, which is closely related to metabolic disorders and the development diseases such as subject diabetes, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, certain respiratory disorders, and endocrine and reproductive problems, highlights the need to promote prevention and treatment strategies based on scientific evidence.
Scientists at research center (CIN), part of the Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Navarra, are evaluating the effect of satiating supplements, probiotics, and other functional foods on weight loss and obesity control. To this end, they are conducting three nutritional programs of study aimed at overweight or obese individuals, in which they combine these functional ingredients with personalized low-calorie diets, nutritional counseling, and ongoing professional monitoring.
According to Idoia Ibero Baraibar, researcher and coordinator of the CIN's Nutritional Intervention Unit, "the high prevalence of overweight and obesity highlights the need to continue researching effective, realistic, and sustainable nutritional strategies that help improve the metabolic health of the population."
The projects are part of a line of research at analyzing the impact of different nutritional strategies on weight loss, appetite regulation, and improved metabolic health, with the goal generating scientific evidence applicable to internship and the daily lives of the population for the prevention and control of excess weight.
Improving health through nutrition
To carry out these studies, the CIN is looking for volunteers: people between the ages of 18 and 70 who are overweight or obese and wish to improve their health and actively collaborate in a project . In addition to functional foods or supplements, participants will receive a per diem expenses or individualized nutritional guidelines, and will receive specialized care and monitoring of their progress by the team at the Nutritional Intervention Unit at the University of Navarra.
Specifically, in the first project, called COGLUBOCO, participants will receive supplements containing satiating compounds to assess their effect on weight and cardiometabolic and osteoarticular health. In the second, called PARABIOTICS-2, they will be asked to take a postbiotic supplement to see its effect on weight loss and the microbiota. Meanwhile, in the PLENTYFOOD study, which includes two trials, participants will receive between two and four healthy food products (ready meals, dairy drinks, and healthy snacks) that they will have to consume either at home or at their work place of work and then evaluate via online questionnaires (essay ); or at the research center laboratory and evaluate laboratory on site, after which they may receive specific nutritional advice if they wish (essay ). The PARABIOTICS-2 (ref. PC24-PARABIOTICS-2-007-006, 2025–2027) and PLENTYFOOD projects, part of the challenge (ref. 0011-1411-2024-000064), are funded by the Government of Navarra.
The interventions are scheduled to begin at the end of January 2026. To participate in any of the programs of study, simply send an email to voluntariosnut@unav.es, indicating the project interest. Those interested can find more information on the research center website.
