Pecan vs Pretzel Snacks for Cognitive Impairment

Overseen By Chwan-Li (Leslie) Shen, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Sponsor: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Disqualifiers: Nut allergy, Untreated hypothyroidism, Severe liver disease, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether eating pecans or pretzels daily can boost memory, mood, and brain function in people with cognitive impairment. Participants will snack on either pecans or pretzels each day for three months. Researchers will also examine how these snacks might affect gut bacteria and inflammation. Ideal candidates are those aged 50 or older who experience significant memory-related difficulties in daily activities and typically consume fewer than two servings of nuts per week. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants a chance to be among the first to explore potential cognitive benefits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You don't have to stop taking your current medications, but they must be stable, meaning you should have been on the same dose for at least 12 weeks before starting the trial, and you shouldn't plan to change them during the trial.

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

Research shows that pecans are generally safe to eat and might benefit health. Studies have found that consuming pecans and other nuts can lower the risk of heart disease, indicating they are usually well-tolerated.

Regarding brain health, past reviews have not found a significant impact from eating nuts, including pecans. However, they also did not identify any major safety issues. While pecans might not greatly enhance brain function, they appear safe to consume.

In this trial, participants will eat either pecans or pretzels daily. Pretzels, a common snack, are generally considered safe when eaten in moderation. Overall, both snacks are expected to be safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Unlike standard treatments for cognitive impairment, which often involve medications and therapies, this trial explores dietary intervention using pecans. Pecans are rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, which researchers believe may support brain health and improve cognitive function. Additionally, this approach is non-invasive and could offer a simple, snack-based method to help manage cognitive issues. By comparing pecans to a pretzel snack, researchers are eager to see if pecans can provide a natural, tasty alternative to more traditional cognitive treatments.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cognitive impairment?

Research suggests that pecans might aid brain functions like memory and attention. One study found that people who ate pecans improved in four areas related to attention and processing speed, as well as four areas related to memory and learning. However, another study found no extra benefits for older adults after eating pecans for a short time. In this trial, participants will join either a pecan snack group or a pretzel snack group. There isn't specific evidence showing pretzels help with brain function, so they serve as a comparison snack. While evidence for pecans is mixed, some studies suggest they could positively affect brain health in certain ways. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Chwan-Li (Leslie) Shen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men and women over 50 with cognitive impairment, evidenced by specific questionnaire scores. They must have stable medication doses, consume less than two servings of nuts per week, and be open to random snack assignments.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 50 years old.

I eat less than two servings of nuts or nut spreads weekly.

I am willing to be randomly assigned to a treatment group.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either pecans or pretzels daily for 3 months to assess effects on brain health and gut-brain axis

12 weeks

Baseline and after 3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pecan snack
• Pretzel snack

Trial Overview

The study tests if daily snacks (pecans or pretzels) can improve memory, mood, and brain function in those with cognitive issues. It also examines the effects on gut health and inflammation over three months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pecan Active Control 1 Intervention

2.0 oz pecans daily for 3 months

Group II: Pretzel Placebo Group 1 Intervention

3.5 oz pretzel snack daily for 3 months

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

107

Recruited

11,500+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07348406

Study Details | NCT07348406 | Snacks and Brain Health

This project will investigate whether daily snack consumption can improve memory, mood, and overall brain function in people with cognitive ...

2.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39945748/

Cognitive function in response to a pecan-enriched meal

More than one-third (8/23) of the cognitive measures were favorable for pecan (4 in attention and processing speed, 4 in memory and learning), ...

3.

journals.sagepub.com

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/NHA-220181

Effects of a 4-week pecan-enriched diet on cognitive ...

A short-term pecan-enriched diet did not provide additional cognitive benefits in healthy older adults in the fasted or postprandial state.

4.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/365062529_Effects_of_a_4-week_pecan-enriched_diet_on_cognitive_function_in_healthy_older_adults

(PDF) Effects of a 4-week pecan-enriched diet on cognitive ...

A short-term pecan-enriched diet did not provide additional cognitive benefits in healthy older adults in the fasted or postprandial state.

5.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-2-neuroinflammatory-diseases-2026-93667

Pecan vs Pretzel Snacks for Cognitive Impairment

The study tests if daily snacks (pecans or pretzels) can improve memory, mood, and brain function in those with cognitive issues. It also ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11408291/

The effect of consuming nuts on cognitive function

Our review could not find a significant effect of nuts on cognition function. Future high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes should be conducted.

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224417304806

Pecan nuts: A review of reported bioactivities and health ...

Additionally, consumption of pecans and other nuts has been linked to reduced risk of physiological parameters associated with cardiovascular disease or ...

8.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05230212

NCT05230212 | Pecan Consumption and Cognitive Function

The overall goal behind this research is to determine the relationship between antioxidant-rich pecans and cognitive functioning in a postprandial state.