Effects of eating walnuts on sleep quality
Mechanistic Effect of Walnut Consumption on Sleep Quality
This study is testing if eating walnuts can help middle-aged and older adults who have trouble sleeping get better rest compared to eating sugary foods.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Columbia University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06430086 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates whether consuming walnuts can improve sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults who report poor sleep. Participants will engage in a randomized crossover design, where they will consume walnuts for four days followed by a high-carbohydrate, high-sugar food for another four days, with a washout period in between. Sleep quality will be assessed through questionnaires, wrist monitors, and sleep studies using electroencephalography (EEG). The study aims to determine the impact of walnut consumption on melatonin levels and overall sleep quality compared to the control food.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are middle-aged and older adults who self-report poor sleep quality and meet specific inclusion criteria.
Not a fit: Patients with diagnosed sleep disorders or those with conditions that significantly affect sleep may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a dietary intervention to improve sleep quality for individuals struggling with sleep issues.
How similar studies have performed: While other studies have explored the effects of melatonin-rich foods on sleep, the specific impact of walnut consumption has not been previously tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Equal numbers of men and women (12 male and 12 post-menopausal female) * Equal number of individuals with normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) * Participants will self-report poor sleep quality, reflected by a global score \>5 on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed sleep disorder * Participants with conditions that could affect sleep will be excluded: * smoking, excessive caffeine intake (\>300 mg/day) * shift work * chronic pain * diagnosis of a chronic disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), * autoimmune diseases * cardiovascular event or cancer in the past 24 months * psychiatric/neurologic disease or disorder, or sleep disorder (diagnosed or high risk for sleep apnea, chronic insomnia, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy) * use of medications that influence CYP1A2 enzymes * Allergy/intolerance to nuts, tree nuts, or unwilling to eat study foods
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD — Associate Professor of Nutritional Medicine
- Study coordinator: Joseariel Romero
- Email: jr4119@cumc.columbia.edu
- Phone: 347-963-8845
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.