BALANCE Study: Beneficial Effects of A Diverse Prebiotic Fibre bLend on Affect, iNflammation, Cognition, and the Gut microbiomE

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-50 years of age * Capacity to give informed consent to participate in the study * Able to comply with study requirements and visits * Meet the criteria for mild-severe stress levels (scores between 15-33) as assessed by DASS-42 Stress Subscale * Normal or corrected to normal vision and/or hearing Exclusion Criteria: * Current smoker * Having food allergies and/or intolerances * Current diagnosis of Type 1 or 2 diabetes, cardiometabolic disease, or psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia) including eating disorders * Current or previous diagnosis of depression in past 6 months * Currently receiving medications that lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, or improve insulin sensitivity * Receiving antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications or treatments * Receiving hormonal birth control * Perimenopause or menopause * Pregnancy, lactation, or an intent to become pregnant during the course of the study * Continuous antibiotic use…