NEW Soul
Nutritious Eating with Soul

Current and Past Studies

NEW Soul

The NEW Soul study partnered with local soul food restaurants and chefs to deliver two different culturally tailored nutrition interventions to African American adults. NEW Soul examined the impact of diets (vegan and omnivorous low-fat) on changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study was conducted between 2018-2021 in Columbia, SC.
We anticipate that the main results of the two-year NEW Soul study that took place from 2018-2021 will be available in early 2023. In the meantime, please visit the below articles and videos to learn more about the NEW Soul study:

  • Turner-McGrievy G, Wilcox S, Frongillo EA, Murphy A, Hutto B, Williams K, Crimarco A, Wilson M, Davey M. The Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) Study: Study design and methods of a two-year randomized trial comparing culturally adapted soul food vegan vs. omnivorous diets among African American adults at risk for heart disease. Contemp Clin Trials. 2020 Jan;88:105897.
  • Okpara N, Chauvenet C, Turner-McGrievy G, Grich K. "Food doesn't have power over me anymore!" Self-Efficacy as a Driver for Dietary Adherence among African American Adults Participating in Plant-Based and Meat-Reduced Dietary Interventions: A Qualitative Study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2022 Apr;122(4):811-824
  • Bernhart JA, Turner-McGrievy GM, Eustis S, Wilson MJ, Hutto B, Wilcox S. Physical Activity Assessment in African Americans Participating in a Dietary Weight Loss Trial Focused on Soul Food. Journal of Public Health.
  • Bernhart JA, Turner-McGrievy GM, Eustis S, Wilson M, Hutto B, Wilcox S, Frongillo EA, Murphy EA. Sensor-measured physical activity is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk in African Americans. Lifestyle Medicine. 2020; 1:e16.
  • Kuehn BM. Vegan Diets That Are Culturally Aligned With Traditional Soul Food Gain Popularity Among Black Individuals. Circulation. 2021 Aug 3;144(5):393-394.
  • NHLBI research feature: Vegan soul food: Will it help fight heart disease, obesity?
  • The NHLBI Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Seminar Series: The Role of Teaching Kitchens in Addressing Nutrition Disparities and Implementation Research.
  • Students in the BRIE Lab: “Recent alumnus kicks off five-year plan as Rotary Global Scholar followed by return to UofSC to study medicine”

    Study Benefits

    Participating in one of the Behavioral Research in Eating Lab studies is fun and can be life changing for your health. See what our former participants have said about our studies and working with Dr. Brie and her team.

    I’m happy!

    I struggled with my health and my weight before working with Dr. Brie.

    Annie, age 60, Health Information Coordinator

    Awesome!

    I was able to lose a total of 50 POUNDS!

    Patcenia, age 56, Project Coordinator

    I highly recommend!

    I made a lifetime change…You are in for a treat.

    Peggy H, age 60, Retired Educator

    Former participants share their experience

    Ask us about the New Soul Study!