Pulse-focused nutrition for school-age children
Official title: Enhancing Dietary Perception and Acceptance of Pulses in Children Through an Innovative Nutritional Intervention Program: Bringing Pulses to the Dining Table
Run by Florida State University · NCT07648446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This 6-week program tests whether a pulse-based diet (1.5 cups per week) improves gut health and metabolic markers in kids aged 6–13 who receive either pulses with education or pulses plus education and procurement support.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Florida State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | October 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07648446 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 6–13 who speak English, are not frequent pulse consumers, and do not have exclusionary medical conditions or recent antibiotic use.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with preexisting gut or metabolic disorders or those unable to adhere to a pulse-based diet may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This parallel-arm randomized trial assigns 40 children to two pulse-focused nutrition strategies over six weeks: (1) education with weekly pre-measured pulses (black beans, lentils, chickpeas) and (2) education with participants sourcing their own pulses. The study investigates gut health outcomes, including gut microbiome composition, metabolomic profiles, and gut barrier function, as well as metabolic health and inflammatory markers. Both groups receive a pulse-focused education program and access to cooking guidance; arms differ by provision versus procurement. Eligibility includes English-speaking children 6–13 without recent antibiotic use or major gut, metabolic, or inflammatory conditions, and without recent significant weight changes or current pulse consumption beyond specified limits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could support better gut health and metabolic markers in children through simple dietary changes and education.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests dietary pulses can influence gut microbiota and metabolic health, but this exact education-plus-provision model in children is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6-13 years old * Ability to speak English Exclusion Criteria: * Frequent pulse consumers (\>0.5 cup/week for females and \>1 cup / week for males) * Antibiotic use in the past 3 months * Diagnosed metabolic/gut diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis, peptic ulcers, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, short bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease), neurological (multiple sclerosis, meningitis, recent stroke) or endocrine disorders (uncontrolled thyroid disorders, growth hormone disorders, adrenal gland disorders, uncontrolled diabetes - A1C \> 9%). * Current use of medications or nutrition supplements * Individuals following a specific dietary patten * Individuals who gained or lost \>5% body weight within the past 6 months * Those involved in another study concurrently * Any allergies to pulses * Intake of pre/pro/postbiotics in the past 3 months
Where it's running
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The Gut Biome Lab
Tallahassee, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ravinder Nagpal, PhD — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Rayven Nairn, MS, RD
- Email: rsn25b@fsu.edu
- Phone: 850-644-1829
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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.