Mixed nuts to support mood, stress, and thinking in young adults
Official title: Impact of Nut Consumption on Mental Health in Young Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by University of Castilla-La Mancha · NCT07292610 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether eating a daily mix of nuts for six months helps improve mood, reduce anxiety and stress, and boost cognition and sleep in university students aged 18–25.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 135 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Castilla-La Mancha Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cuenca, Cuenca) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 24, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | April 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 18, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07292610 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
University students aged 18–25 enrolled at the Cuenca campus who do not have a nut allergy and do not report cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, or mental health disorders.
✕Probably not a fit
People with a known nut allergy, those with existing diagnosed mental health or relevant medical disorders (who are excluded), and individuals outside the 18–25 Cuenca university student population are unlikely to be helped by this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing a six-month mixed-nut dietary intervention to a control group in university students aged 18–25. Participants will be randomized to receive mixed nuts or control and will be followed with measures of mental health symptoms, cognitive functioning, sleep quality, well-being, health-related quality of life, and biochemical markers related to brain function. The trial takes place at the Health and Social Research Center of the University of Castilla‑La Mancha (Cuenca campus). People with known nut allergies or self-reported cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, or mental health disorders are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this simple dietary approach could reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve sleep and cognitive function, and enhance overall well-being in young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Observational studies in adults have linked higher nut intake to better mood and lower depression risk, but randomized experimental evidence in young adults is limited and results have been inconclusive.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Participants must meet all the following criteria to be considered eligible for selection and randomization: Inclusion Criteria: * Age: Participants must be between 18 and 25 years old. * Academic Status: Participants must be enrolled as university students. * Field of Study: Participants may come from any academic program offered at the Cuenca Campus, including Nursing, Social Work, Education, Fine Arts, Engineering, Journalism, and Teaching. Participants will be excluded from the study if they have any of the following conditions, based on self-reported information: Exclusion Criteria: * Allergies: Known nut allergy. * Self-reported cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal or mental health disorder.
Where it's running
-
Health and Social Research Center. University of Castilla-La Mancha
Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Arthur Eumann Mesas, PhD — Health and Social Research Center
- Study coordinator: Arthur Eumann Mesas, PdD
- Email: arthur.emesas@uclm.es
- Phone: +34 926053716
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.