Juice Plus+ Science Institute is committed to advancing the science of plant-based nutrition. We are particularly focused on exploring the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption and alternative whole-food-based nutraceutical supplementation.
All research should be independent and conducted by qualified researchers at universities, clinics, hospitals, or other respected research entities.
Potential Research Topics
Absorption and bioavailability of nutrients
Cardiovascular disease prevention
Oxidative stress
Management of low-grade inflammation
Immune system
Nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics
Microbiome
Overweight and obesity
Brain health
Healthy aging
Skin, eye, and periodontal health
Respiratory function
Types of studies
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
RCTs study the effects of a treatment or intervention by allocating subjects, by chance, into experimental groups or a control group. Almost all recent and anticipated JPSI studies are RCTs.
Cohort analysis/observational studies
Public health approaches may require long-term commitments. We weigh the potential for cohort observations based on the hypotheses posed and resources required to undertake them.
Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
Systematic reviews and meta-analysis are highly favored. They provide robust information on a research question and advance our knowledge by summarizing all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria.
Pilot studies
These small human test studies serve as proofs of concept for larger, more comprehensive RCTs. They allow us to explore hypotheses based on biological rationale before committing more resources to a certain topic.
In vitro studies
These studies allow us to test the effects of a certain substance on specific cells/tissues. They also permit simpler and more convenient analysis when an in vivo test is not possible.
Research criteria
Research investigator and site
A potential investigator must be independent from Juice Plus+ and free from conflicts of interest
Researchers must be qualified and able to communicate in English. Typical researchers are university faculty members who use respected and accepted scientific study methodologies and have previous publications on the methodology proposed for a specific clinical study
The investigation site should be affiliated with an accredited university accustomed to performing and publishing research in a timely manner
Use proven methods and widely accepted markers
Be widely applicable and interesting
Be translatable so most lay people can understand and explain
Study subjects
Study subjects can be any age or gender
We prefer subjects who are apparently healthy and report an under supply of fruit and vegetable intake or micronutrients, compared to their estimated needs
Study populations can include people with chronic conditions, e.g. increased levels of certain biomarkers (oxidative stress markers, blood lipids, blood pressure, etc.)
JPSI will also consider subjects with inconvenient ailments, physiological or psychological constraints, or stressed cohorts
Future research must:
Use proven methods and widely accepted markers.
Be widely applicable and interesting.
Be translatable so most lay people can understand and explain.
Future research must not:
Require a disproportionate investment of limited research funds.
Focus on areas of health that impact small sub-populations.
Create a potential risk with regard to nutritional health claims regulations.
Use laboratory animals.
Grant Proposal and Award Process
Step 1
If you are interested in collaborating with the Juice Plus Science Institute on a research project and/or conducting research with Juice Plus products, please submit a letter of interest outlining the key research questions and hypotheses. Submit your letter of interest via email to research@jpsi.info Applicants can expect a response within one month of submission.
Step 2
If JPSI sees potential in your research ideas/hypotheses, we will ask you to submit a full proposal for competitive review. We currently have two grant cycles per year. Deadlines for proposals are March 31 and September 30.
A proposal should include the following information:
Principal investigator
Study site/location
Hypotheses/outcomes/endpoints
Study design
Sample size estimate
Study population
Study duration
Proposed budget and institutional overhead (if applicable)
What is requested from us (materials, funding, etc.)
You can expect a response within 90 days from your application date. In the event that we decline your letter of interest or proposal, you may modify your ideas based on our feedback and resubmit.
Scholarships
We offer student scholarships for:
Conference attendee travel costs (applicable to students presenting relevant plant-based nutrition research)
