Pecan nut consumption and health in adults 45–75
Assessment of Systematic Health Properties of Pecan Nut Consumption: Gut, Vascular, Metabolic and Cognitive Outcomes
This trial will see if eating pecan nuts daily improves metabolism, cholesterol, inflammation, blood pressure, thinking, and gut bacteria in adults aged 45 to 75.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Davis, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07227259 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized crossover dietary intervention in which participants complete two 3-month periods in random order: one period with daily pecan nut intake and one period avoiding pecans, separated by a 4–6 week washout. Adults 45–75 who meet BMI and health criteria will attend an initial screening and four clinic visits over roughly seven months. At visits participants provide blood and stool samples, complete diet and health questionnaires, and have blood pressure and cognitive tests recorded. The design compares within-person changes in blood lipids, inflammatory markers, vascular measures, cognitive performance, and gut microbiome composition between the pecan and no-pecan periods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 45–75 with BMI 20–35 kg/m2 who can follow dietary instructions, provide blood and stool samples, and are not taking statins, recent antibiotics/probiotics, menopausal hormone therapy, or supplements that affect vascular response or the microbiome.
Not a fit: People with pecan or other nut allergies, vegetarian/vegan diets, uncontrolled serious medical conditions, recent antibiotic or probiotic use, current statin use, or uncontrolled diabetes are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding pecan nuts to the daily diet could lead to modest improvements in cholesterol, inflammation, blood pressure, gut bacterial balance, and possibly cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on other tree nuts has shown improvements in lipids and inflammation, but pecan-specific evidence is limited so this approach builds on promising but not definitive nutrition findings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: BMI of 20-35 kg/m2, ability to understand the intervention instructions, Willingness to follow the dietary intervention, Willingness to provide biological samples (blood and stool) - Exclusion Criteria: Allergy to pecan or other nuts, Cognitive impairment due to dementia of any type and inability to understand or comply with intervention instructions, Use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy, Use of antibiotics or probiotics in the 2 months prior to enrollment, Uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1C of \>9.5, Vegetarian/vegan, Any serious medical condition (such as chronic kidney disease of stage 3 or greater, heart failure, active cancer treatment, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.), Consumption of supplements that may interfere with vascular response or gut microbiome, Use of statin drugs for cholesterol lowering. \-
Where this trial is running
Davis, California
- Ragle Human Nutrition Center, UC Davis campus — Davis, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Francene Steinberg, PhD
- Email: fmsteinberg@ucdavis.edu
- Phone: 530-752-0160
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.