Avocado for Infant Development

(Guac & Grow Trial)

Overseen By Rachel Tribby, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arizona State University

Disqualifiers: Growth abnormalities, Developmental delays, Low birth weight, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 months

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether daily avocado consumption can aid infants' growth and improve their brain and gut health. Researchers aim to determine if avocados alter gut microbes (tiny living organisms) and enhance motor skills and cognitive development in infants. Infants in the trial will either consume avocados daily or have limited avocado intake for comparison. Families with infants aged 4-6 months, born at full term, and ready to start solid foods may be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on infant nutrition and development.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. It seems focused on infants' avocado intake and does not mention medication restrictions.

Is there any evidence suggesting that daily avocado intake is safe for infants?

Research has shown that eating avocados during pregnancy may reduce the chances of infants developing food allergies by 12 months of age. This suggests that avocados can be safely included in an infant's diet. Studies have not identified any major negative effects from consuming avocados.

In this trial, infants in the test group will consume a small amount of avocado daily, similar to how some infants might naturally include avocados in their regular meals. Current evidence indicates that infants generally tolerate avocados well, making them a safe choice for this trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard of care for infant nutrition, which typically involves a variety of pureed fruits and vegetables, the avocado treatment is unique because it focuses on the potential developmental benefits of avocados, a single, nutrient-rich food. Researchers are excited about this approach because avocados are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that are crucial for brain development and growth in infants. By specifically examining the effects of daily avocado consumption, researchers hope to uncover new insights into how this superfood might support infant development in ways that other foods in a typical infant diet do not.

What evidence suggests that daily avocado intake might be an effective treatment for infant development?

This trial will compare the effects of daily avocado consumption with limited avocado exposure in infants. Research suggests that avocados benefit infant health. Studies have found that the high soluble fiber content in avocados helps develop a healthy gut in infants. Soluble fiber nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, improving overall gut health. Avocados also provide healthy fats and nutrients essential for brain development in infants. Although specific data on avocados for this purpose is limited, their nutrients make them a promising food for supporting infant growth and development. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Corrie M Whisner, PhD

Principal Investigator

Arizona State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for 4-6 month old Hispanic/Latine infants, born full-term and ready to start solids around 6 months. Families must be willing to feed their infant avocado daily for 6 months. If there's a family history of food or latex allergies, physician clearance is required due to potential allergic responses.

Inclusion Criteria

My caregiver has completed at least 8th grade.

My baby is Hispanic/Latine, 4-6 months old, born after 37 weeks, and not a twin.

I am willing to feed my infant avocado when they start solids for 6 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Infants receive daily avocado or limited avocado intake for 6 months to assess impact on gut microbiome and development

6 months

Home visits at 6, 9, and 12 months of age

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Avocado

Trial Overview The study tests if eating avocados every day from ages 6-12 months can improve an infant's gut health, motor skills, and cognitive development compared to those who don't eat avocados. Parents will provide the avocado, record intake and acceptance, and collect data on growth and diet.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Daily Avocado Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Infants in the daily avocado group will receive a daily exposure amount of avocado ranging from 1/4 (\~37.5 g or 1.25 oz) to 1/2 (\~75 g or 2.5 oz) of a medium-sized avocado.

Group II: No Avocado Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Infants in the control group will be asked to limit avocado exposure to no more than 1/8 of a medium-sized avocado (\~19 g, 2 Tbs) once per week.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT06208085

Avocado Consumption, Nutrients in Human Milk, and Infant ... The goal of this interventional study is to establish a whole food, avocado, as a viable study material to supplement mothers and infants with nutrients ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41390-025-03968-4

Avocado consumption during pregnancy linked to lower ... Our results suggest that 12-month-old infants were less likely to develop food allergies when their mothers consumed avocado during pregnancy.

3. contemporarypediatrics.com contemporarypediatrics.com/view/maternal-avocado-consumption-linked-to-reduced-infant-food-allergy-risk

Maternal avocado consumption linked to reduced infant ... Maternal consumption of avocado during pregnancy was associated with significantly lower odds of food allergy in infants at 12 months of age.

4. allergenbureau.net allergenbureau.net/avocado-eating-mums-reduce-food-allergy-risk-in-their-babies/

Avocado-eating mums reduce food allergy risk in their babies Results showed that infants whose mothers consumed avocado had a 44 per cent lower risk of developing food allergies compared to those whose ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4882728/

The Role of Avocados in Complementary and Transitional ... The higher soluble fiber content of avocados compared to other fruits may be of benefit to the development of an infant's/toddler's gut ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06876935

Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut ... Infants in the control group will be asked to limit avocado exposure to no more than 1/8 of a medium-sized avocado (~19 g, 2 Tbs) once per week. Intervention/ ...

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40055533/

Avocado consumption during pregnancy linked to lower ... Avocado consumption during pregnancy was associated with 43.6% lower odds of infant food allergies at 12 months, even when accounting for ...