Avocado for Post-Meal Blood Sugar Control

Overseen By Clinical Research Project Manager

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Vermont Medical Center

Must not be taking: Antidiabetics, Appetite suppressants

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how adding avocado to breakfast affects blood sugar levels and feelings of hunger or fullness afterward. Participants will try three different breakfast meals to determine if avocado aids in blood sugar control. Individuals with stable weight, without diabetes, and not managing conditions like uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) may be suitable for this study. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to nutritional research and potentially improve dietary guidelines.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are on medications that lower blood sugar, affect weight, appetite, or gut movement. If you are on stable treatment for hypertension or hyperlipidemia, you may still be eligible.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that avocados are generally safe to eat and may help control blood sugar levels. Studies have found that eating avocados does not significantly increase blood sugar. Specifically, one study found that people who ate avocados experienced smaller blood sugar spikes after meals. Another study noted that avocados have a glycemic index close to zero, indicating they have little effect on blood sugar.

Overall, avocados are widely consumed and are known for their healthy fats. There are no major reports of negative effects from eating them. Thus, adding avocado to a meal is likely safe and well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for post-meal blood sugar spikes, which often involve medications like metformin or dietary adjustments, this trial explores the natural benefits of avocado. Avocado is unique because it's rich in healthy fats and fiber, which can slow digestion and lead to a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels. Researchers are excited about this approach because it offers a simple, whole-food option that could potentially help manage blood sugar levels without the side effects associated with pharmaceutical interventions. Additionally, avocados are widely accessible and could provide an easy-to-incorporate dietary change for individuals seeking to control their blood sugar naturally.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for blood sugar control?

Research has shown that eating avocado can help maintain steady blood sugar levels after meals. One study found that people who ate avocado experienced blood sugar spikes about 1 unit lower than those who did not. Another study discovered that consuming half or whole avocados led to lower blood sugar and insulin levels over six hours. Eating avocado daily for several weeks was also linked to improved blood sugar control. In this trial, participants in the "Avocado addition breakfast" arm will receive a breakfast with bread, jam, and avocado to evaluate its effect on post-meal blood sugar control. These findings suggest that adding avocado to meals may effectively manage blood sugar. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jana Kraft, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Vermont

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy adults who don't smoke. Participants should not have any chronic diseases or conditions that affect metabolism or digestion. They must be willing to eat specific meals provided by the study and undergo blood tests.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI between 18.5 and 34.9 kg/m2

I am either male or female.

I am between 21 and 65 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Smoking or use of other tobacco products (during 6 months prior to the start of the study)

Allergies or adverse reactions to study foods (e.g., gluten intolerance), or food aversions that would interfere with diet adherence

History of eating disorders or other significant food preferences that would interfere with the diet intervention (e.g., vegan lifestyle, very low-fat diets, high-protein diets)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Test Periods

Participants undergo 3 test periods, each separated by a week, to evaluate the effects of different breakfast meals on blood sugar control and satiety signals.

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the test periods

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Avocado

Trial Overview The study is examining how adding avocado to breakfast affects blood sugar levels, hunger, and fullness compared to a standard meal of whole-wheat bread and jam, and another meal with added fat and fiber.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Negative control breakfast Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a breakfast with bread and jam, no avocado.

Group II: Avocado addition breakfast Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a breakfast with bread, jam, and avocado.

Group III: Fat and fiber control breakfast Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive a breakfast with bread and jam, no avocado. The breakfast meal will be enriched with fat and fiber to mimic that of an avocado.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Vermont Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

46

Recruited

25,900+

Avocado Nutrition Center

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

560+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 28-day treatment with aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic leaf extracts of avocado significantly reduced blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats, with the methanolic extract showing the most pronounced effect.

The methanolic extract not only improved glucose homeostasis but also promoted regeneration of pancreatic islets and was well tolerated, indicating its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous, Ethanol, and Methanol Leaf Extracts of Persea americana and Their Effectiveness in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. Kouamé, NM., Koffi, C., N'Zoué, KS., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10842938/

Associations between avocado intake and measures of ... After meal consumption, peak postprandial glucose concentrations were ~1 mmol/L lower in those who consumed either amount of avocado, with an effect of similar ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06818032

NCT06818032 | Avocado and Postprandial Responses The purpose of this study is to see how adding avocado to a breakfast meal affects blood sugar control and signals of hunger and fullness after eating.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267224001928

Association Between Avocado Consumption and Diabetes ... Those who consumed half or whole avocados experienced significantly lower postprandial glycemic and insulin responses over a 6-hour period, as well as lower ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/avocado-for-post-meal-blood-sugar-control-d8ca0

Avocado for Post-Meal Blood Sugar Control A 28-day treatment with aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic leaf extracts of avocado significantly reduced blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats, with the ...

5. nutrition.org nutrition.org/daily-avocado-consumption-a-tasteful-way-to-lower-blood-glucose/

Daily avocado consumption: A tasteful way to lower blood ... Study results showed that daily avocado intake for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on blood glucose. Furthermore, avocado intake was associated ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299125029476

Using the Avocado as an Evening Snack to Investigate ... Mean postprandial TG response values were 109.7 ± 3.2 mg/dL for matrix control snack; 107.3 ± 3.2 mg/dL, control snack; and 106.2 ± 3.2 mg/dL, avocado snack. ...

7. nutrisense.io nutrisense.io/blog/do-avocados-raise-blood-sugar-levels?srsltid=AfmBOorh-D2LOV_mgoREQfTINM0nHWwGlBPvFzFBPvWywHj5nLyKdi4H

Avocado and Blood Sugar: Decoding the Glycemic Index Researchers have found that avocados do not significantly impact blood sugar levels. In fact, a 2007 study suggests that foods high in monounsaturated fats may ...

8. meto.co meto.co/blog/avocado-blood-sugar-glycemic-index

Does Avocado Raise Blood Sugar? The Science Behind Its ... The GI of avocado is generally considered to be close to zero, and the glycemic load of a typical serving is also effectively zero. To put it ...