Mixed Nut Consumption for Satiety

Overseen By Mee Young Hong, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Pregnant, Dietary supplements, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 40

Duration: 16 weeks

56 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how eating mixed nuts affects weight management and metabolism over time. Researchers aim to determine if nuts like almonds, walnuts, and peanuts can help control weight and reduce food intake. The study compares the effects of mixed nuts to pretzels. It may suit individuals aged 18 to 55 with a BMI (a measure of body weight in relation to height) between 27 and 40, who do not smoke or have nut or gluten allergies. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the health benefits of nuts.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you require medication for metabolic disorders, you cannot participate.

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

Research has shown that mixed nuts are generally safe and can benefit health. One study found that adding mixed nuts to the diet might improve heart health and help control blood sugar levels. Another study found that eating nuts as snacks can lower the risk of metabolic syndrome—a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—and can also help reduce waist size, especially in women. Importantly, research indicates that eating nuts does not cause weight gain, despite their high calorie content. Overall, mixed nuts appear to be well-tolerated, with no major negative effects reported in the studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike typical snacks for curbing hunger like pretzels or other simple carbs, mixed nuts are unique because they are packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which may enhance feelings of fullness and satisfaction. Researchers are particularly excited about mixed nuts because they offer a nutrient-dense snack option that could help manage appetite without the blood sugar spikes associated with many other snacks. By potentially increasing satiety, mixed nuts might help people control their food intake more effectively, which is a promising approach for maintaining a healthy weight.

What evidence suggests that mixed nuts could be effective for weight management?

This trial will compare the effects of consuming mixed nuts versus pretzels on satiety. Research has shown that eating mixed nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts, can aid in weight management and increase feelings of fullness. Studies have found that these nuts can help the body store less energy, which benefits those trying to lose weight. One study discovered that nuts can help control blood sugar levels and enhance post-meal satiety. Another review highlights that nuts can reduce the urge to eat more by keeping individuals satisfied longer. Overall, eating mixed nuts might help manage weight by curbing hunger. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-55 with a BMI between 27 and 40 who want to manage their weight. It's not suitable for those allergic to nuts or gluten, smokers, pregnant women, or individuals on medication for metabolic disorders or dietary supplements.

Inclusion Criteria

Your body mass index (BMI) is between 27 and 40.

Exclusion Criteria

You have an allergy to nuts or gluten.

You are a person who smokes.

You are pregnant.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume mixed nuts or pretzels daily to assess metabolic and weight management effects

16 weeks

Baseline, 40 minutes post snack consumption, and 8 weeks and 16 weeks post daily consumption

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in insulin, glucose, cholesterol levels, and microbiome diversity

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mixed nuts

Trial Overview The study examines how eating mixed nuts affects hunger and weight control compared to pretzels. Participants will be monitored over time to see changes in metabolism and body weight, aiming to understand how nuts might help in losing weight.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mixed nuts Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Pretzels Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Daily consumption of pecans for 8 weeks improved markers of appetite, such as increased levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY), and decreased levels of ghrelin in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Participants who added pecans to their diet reported a greater reduction in appetite and desire to eat compared to those who substituted pecans for other foods or had no nuts, suggesting that pecans can enhance feelings of fullness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appetite responses to pecan-enriched diets. Guarneiri, LL., Paton, CM., Cooper, JA.[2022]

In a study involving 20 healthy young adults, consuming mixed nuts daily did not affect postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels, while potato chips increased these levels, suggesting that mixed nuts may be a healthier snack option for blood sugar control.

Both mixed nuts and potato chips increased feelings of fullness (satiety) without significant changes in body weight or fat, indicating that mixed nuts can be a satisfying snack without negative impacts on overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mixed Nut Consumption on Blood Glucose, Insulin, Satiety, and the Microbiome in a Healthy Population: A Pilot Study. Rosas, M., Liu, C., Hong, MY.[2023]

Tree nut allergies, which include reactions to almonds, cashews, walnuts, and others, typically begin in childhood and are lifelong, posing a significant risk for severe allergic reactions, including fatalities.

The prevalence of tree nut allergies varies by region, with specific nuts being more common in certain areas, such as hazelnuts in northern Europe and walnuts in the USA, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis using advanced molecular techniques.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tree nut allergy. Kuźmiński, A., Przybyszewski, M., Przybyszewska, J., et al.[2021]

Peanut and tree nut allergies are common in children, often starting in early childhood, and they tend to persist, leading to severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening.

The review highlights recent advancements in understanding the genetic basis and immunological characteristics of these allergies, as well as new treatment options being explored in animal models.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peanut and tree nut allergy. Sicherer, SH., Sampson, HA.[2019]

In a study of 140 overweight and obese adults, consuming almonds led to a significantly smaller postprandial C-peptide response compared to a carbohydrate-rich snack bar, indicating a different hormonal response that could influence appetite regulation.

Despite the favorable hormonal changes associated with almond consumption, there was no difference in self-reported appetite or short-term energy intake between the almond and snack bar groups, suggesting that these hormonal effects may not immediately impact eating behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute feeding with almonds compared to a carbohydrate-based snack improves appetite-regulating hormones with no effect on self-reported appetite sensations: a randomised controlled trial. Carter, S., Hill, AM., Buckley, JD., et al.[2023]

In a study of 36,994 participants across 10 European countries, tree nuts were found to be more commonly consumed than peanuts or seeds, with a notable north-to-south gradient in intake, where Spain had the highest average consumption of tree nuts at 2.99 g/d.

Men reported significantly higher average portion sizes of tree nuts and peanuts compared to women, suggesting potential gender differences in dietary habits that could inform health policy and nutrition initiatives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption and portion sizes of tree nuts, peanuts and seeds in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohorts from 10 European countries. Jenab, M., Sabaté, J., Slimani, N., et al.[2022]

A 4-week diet enriched with 68g of pecans per day did not lead to weight gain in healthy older adults, suggesting that pecans can be included in the diet without negatively impacting body weight.

Participants consuming pecans experienced a significant reduction in their peak desire to eat compared to those avoiding nuts, indicating that pecans may help with appetite control and support weight maintenance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pecan-enriched diet reduced postprandial appetite intensity and enhanced peptide YY secretion: A randomized control trial. Cogan, B., Pearson, RC., Jenkins, NT., et al.[2023]

This study quantified the lipid content and healthful constituents of 10 different types of tree nuts, revealing that total lipid content varied significantly, from 44.4% in cashews to 77.1% in macadamias, with most nuts being high in unsaturated fatty acids.

The research found that total phytosterol levels in these nuts were generally higher than previously reported, particularly in pistachios and pine nuts, indicating that tree nuts are a rich source of beneficial lipids and phytosterols, which may contribute to their health benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Update on the healthful lipid constituents of commercially important tree nuts. Robbins, KS., Shin, EC., Shewfelt, RL., et al.[2011]

In a study involving 54 overweight and obese adults, consuming mixed nuts as a snack led to lower levels of appetite hormones like leptin and ghrelin, indicating increased satiety without raising blood glucose or insulin levels.

In contrast, pretzel consumption resulted in higher subjective satiety and lower hunger but also caused significant increases in glucose and insulin, suggesting that mixed nuts may be a healthier snack option for weight management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed Nuts May Promote Satiety While Maintaining Stable Blood Glucose and Insulin in Healthy, Obese, and Overweight Adults in a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. Godwin, N., Roberts, T., Hooshmand, S., et al.[2019]

Higher nut consumption is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.81) and specific causes of death, particularly cardiovascular disease (RR 0.75) and coronary heart disease (RR 0.73), based on an analysis of 18 prospective studies involving over 81,000 deaths.

Most health benefits from nut consumption can be achieved with about 3 servings per week, indicating that even moderate intake can lead to lower mortality risks, particularly for heart-related conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nut consumption in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a meta-analysis 18 prospective studies. Chen, GC., Zhang, R., Martínez-González, MA., et al.[2018]

Consuming about 28 grams of nuts daily is linked to a 21% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases and a significant decrease in all-cause mortality, based on a review of 89 studies.

Nut consumption is also associated with lower risks of cancer deaths and respiratory diseases, although the relationship with diabetes incidence is less clear, highlighting the overall health benefits of including nuts in the diet for those without allergies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of Nuts and Seeds and Health Outcomes Including Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Cancer, and Mortality: An Umbrella Review. Balakrishna, R., Bjørnerud, T., Bemanian, M., et al.[2023]

Nut consumption leads to an increase in daily energy intake by about 76.3 kcal, particularly in overweight or obese individuals, but does not result in weight gain overall.

Despite the increase in energy intake, nut consumption is associated with a decrease in hunger, suggesting that nuts may help control appetite without affecting feelings of fullness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of nuts on energy intake, hunger, and fullness, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Akhlaghi, M., Ghobadi, S., Zare, M., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5748761/

Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review Walnuts, as part of a mixed diet in healthy adults, provide less available energy (21%) than predicted by the Atwater factors, which may help explain why ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523048906

A review of the effects of nuts on appetite, food intake ... This review focuses on the role of nut consumption on appetite, energy intake, energy metabolism, and body weight.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11534022/

Effects of Mixed Nut Consumption on Blood Glucose ... The primary outcome of this study was to examine the effects of mixed nut consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and satiety in healthy young adults.

4. advances.nutrition.org advances.nutrition.org/article/S2161-8313(22)01307-2/fulltext

The Effects of Tree Nut and Peanut Consumption on Energy ... The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tree nut and peanut consumption on energy intake, compensation, and expenditure.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/18/3008

Effect of Nuts Combined with Energy Restriction on the ... Nuts can promote satiety, which would lead to a reduction in compensatory food intake, in addition to their low metabolizable energy and ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6683273/

Mixed Nut Consumption May Improve Cardiovascular ... Our results suggest that supplementing the diet with mixed-nuts could improve CVD risk factors by improving BW and glucose regulation.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/24/5051

Consumption of Tree Nuts as Snacks Reduces Metabolic ... Tree nut snacks reduced metabolic syndrome risk, with 67% reduction in females and 42% in males, and reduced waist circumference in females.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322001764

Intake of Nuts or Nut Products Does Not Lead to Weight ... Several clinical interventions report that consuming nuts will not cause weight gain. However, it is unclear if the type of instructions provided for how to ...