Using herbs and spices to improve dietary quality in college students
Assessing the Feasibility and Potential Efficacy of Herbs and Spices for Improving Dietary Quality and Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in College Students With Poor Dietary Quality: A Pilot Study
NA · University of Nevada, Las Vegas · NCT07082348
This pilot will try using an herbs-and-spices nutrition program with college students who have poor diets to see if it improves their dietary quality, gut health, and cardiometabolic measures.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 39 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Las Vegas, Nevada) |
| Trial ID | NCT07082348 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-arm pilot will enroll 30 college students with poor dietary quality in a 6-week Herbs and Spices Nutrition Program (HSNP) delivered in two cohorts of 15 at UNLV. The intervention combines Dietary Guidelines-focused nutrition education with practical strategies for incorporating herbs and spices into regular meals. Investigators will measure feasibility and acceptability, pre- and post-intervention dietary intake and diet-quality scores, cardiometabolic markers, and gut microbiome measures. The study will also document implementation barriers to inform a larger, controlled trial if results are promising.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: College students aged 18–39 with a Rapid Prime Diet Quality Score of 12 or below, BMI between 18.5 and 40 kg/m2, who can maintain current lifestyle habits and attend in-person visits at UNLV are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with allergies to herbs or spices, significant gastrointestinal disease, current antibiotic or probiotic use, unstable chronic metabolic conditions, recent major cardiac events, or who are pregnant or nursing are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help college students improve their dietary quality and potentially produce modest improvements in gut microbiome composition and cardiometabolic risk markers.
How similar studies have performed: There is limited prior work specifically testing herbs-and-spices programs in college populations, though small studies suggest herbs and spices can improve meal palatability and related dietary behaviors.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * College students (undergraduate and graduate) * Ages 18-39 years * BMI 18.5-40 kg/m * Having poor dietary quality (a Rapid Prime Diet Quality Score of 12 or below), * Maintain current lifestyle habits (e.g., medications/ supplement use, exercise, and sleep), and avoid taking new supplements or medications throughout the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * Uncontrolled hypertension * BMIs \<18.5 or \>40 kg/m2 * Autoimmune disease or immune compromised * A recent diagnosis of cancer or under current treatment for cancer * A history of kidney stones * Having pacemaker * Participating in a weight loss program * Having a history of any significant GI disease * Insulin use * Currently on dialysis * Currently consuming pro-/pre-biotics or antiobiotics * Diagnosed with unstable chronic metabolic disease * Have allergies to any herbs and spices * Are pregnant/nursing * Participating in another investigational study * Unable or unwilling to give consent
Where this trial is running
Las Vegas, Nevada
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, Las Vegas, Nevada — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD
- Email: neda.akhavan@unlv.edu
- Phone: 702-570-3358
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.
Conditions: Dietary Quality, Feasibility Studies, College Student, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Gut Microbiome, Lipid Profiles, Herbs and Spices, Acceptability