Daily avocado from 6–12 months and infant gut, growth, and development

Guac & Grow: Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut Microbiome in American Hispanic Infants

This trial will test whether giving Hispanic infants a daily avocado from about 6 to 12 months changes their gut microbes and supports better growth and motor and cognitive development.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Ages: 3 Months to 6 Months
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Arizona State University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Trial ID: NCT06876935 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a two-arm, randomized, parallel-group trial enrolling term Hispanic/Latine infants to compare daily avocado feeding with usual/limited avocado exposure from roughly 6 to 12 months of age. Families will be randomized to provide a measured daily amount of avocado or to limit avocado to no more than once per week, with home visits and data collection at 6, 9, and 12 months. Outcomes include diaper swab measures of the gut microbiome, standardized assessments of motor and neurocognitive milestones, growth measurements, feeding diaries, and caregiver surveys. Control families are offered the same quantity of avocado after the 6-month intervention so they may also benefit.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy, term (≥37 weeks) Hispanic/Latine singleton infants about to begin solids (around 4–6 months) whose caregivers speak English or Spanish and are willing to feed daily avocado and participate in home visits and sample collection.

Not a fit: Infants born preterm, with significant growth, chromosomal, genetic, congenital, or developmental abnormalities, those outside the 2500–4000 g birthweight range, or infants with known severe avocado/latex allergy are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, regular early avocado intake could support healthier gut microbiome patterns and modest improvements in infant growth and motor and cognitive development.

How similar studies have performed: Broad complementary-feeding and diet-to-microbiome research shows early diet can shape the infant gut and development, but daily avocado-specific randomized trials are novel and limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 4-6-month-old Hispanic/Latine, non-preterm (\>37 weeks gestation) singleton infants
* Infants born to mothers 18 years and older while pregnant
* Parents speak English and/or Spanish
* Families willing to begin feeding infants avocado around 6 months of age or when the infant is ready for solids for a total of 6 months
* Family history of food or latex allergies will be evaluated as avocado is a latex fruit and can cause allergic responses. If either mom or dad is allergic to avocado, physician clearance for infant participation will be needed.
* At least one caregiver in the home must have at least an 8th-grade education level

Exclusion Criteria:

* Infants with growth, chromosomal, or genetic abnormality, developmental and cognitive impairments, or severe comorbidity that could impact growth and development
* Infants born with congenital abnormalities or developmental delays
* Infant birth weights \<2500 g or \>4000 g
* Infants introduced to solid foods prior to 3 months of age
* Biological mothers with known substance use during pregnancy (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or illegal drugs), or who experienced a high-risk pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, diabetes-Types 1 and 2 and gestational, HIV, etc.)

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona

• College of Health Solutions — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Corrie M Whisner, PhD — Arizona State University
• Study coordinator: Corrie M Whisner, PhD

Conditions: Gut Microbiome, Neurocognitive Correlates of Eating Habits, Infant Growth, avocado, infants, complimentary feeding, growth, development