Chocolate Almonds for Satiety and Blood Sugar

(CAS Trial)

Overseen By Amanda J Wright, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Guelph

Must not be taking: Appetite, Digestion, Blood sugar, Chewing

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Food allergies, Metabolic disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 visits

35 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how chewing different types of chocolate almonds affects participants' feelings of fullness and blood sugar levels. Researchers aim to determine whether consuming whole almonds, chopped almonds, or no almonds in white chocolate alters food intake and subsequent blood sugar levels. They seek healthy young females without food allergies or digestive issues who are not trying to lose or gain weight. Participants will visit the research center three times to eat, answer questions, and provide finger-prick blood samples. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to new insights on diet and health without the risks linked to new drug testing.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If your current medications affect appetite, digestion, blood sugar regulation, saliva production, or chewing, you may need to stop taking them to participate in this trial. Otherwise, stable medication use is allowed.

What prior data suggests that this chewing behaviour protocol is safe for healthy young females?

Research has shown that eating almonds, whether whole or chopped, can help control blood sugar and prolong feelings of fullness, without any safety concerns. Studies indicate that almonds can lower blood sugar levels and increase feelings of fullness, both immediately after eating and later in the day.

In contrast, white chocolate without almonds lacks the health benefits of darker chocolate due to its different ingredients. However, moderate consumption of white chocolate is not associated with any safety issues.

Overall, incorporating almonds into white chocolate is considered safe based on current research. The reviewed studies report no negative effects from these food combinations. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different chewing behaviors and almond preparations in white chocolate might affect satiety and blood sugar levels. Unlike standard treatments for managing blood sugar, which often involve medications or dietary supplements, this approach focuses on the potential benefits of food texture and nut content. The trial investigates whether whole almonds, chopped almonds, or no almonds in white chocolate impact how full you feel and your blood sugar response. By understanding these effects, researchers hope to uncover simple dietary adjustments that could help with satiety and glucose management.

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

Research shows that eating almonds can increase feelings of fullness and lower blood sugar levels. Studies have found a link between consuming whole almonds and a better diet, as well as a reduced risk of heart disease. In this trial, participants will receive white chocolate with whole almonds, white chocolate with chopped almonds, or white chocolate without almonds. Adding chopped almonds to white chocolate might also enhance feelings of fullness and improve metabolism. Almonds are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which help maintain satiety and reduce calorie intake. While white chocolate without almonds doesn't offer these benefits, it might still aid in managing insulin resistance and inflammation. These findings suggest that including almonds, whether whole or chopped, in white chocolate can positively affect satiety and blood sugar levels. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy young females interested in how different ways of eating almonds in white chocolate affect fullness and blood sugar levels. Participants will need to visit the research center on three separate occasions, fasted.

Inclusion Criteria

My BMI is between 18.5 and 27.9, or my waist is less than 88 cm.

Non-restrained eaters based on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire

Stable medication use

Exclusion Criteria

Regular use of recreational drugs (e.g., marijuana, ecstasy, magic mushrooms)

Irregular breakfast consumption

Avoids consuming almonds or chocolate

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume different types of white chocolate bark with varying almond preparations over three visits, providing blood samples and completing questionnaires.

3 visits

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for postprandial responses including glucose and triacylglycerol levels, and satiety ratings.

3 hours per visit

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Chewing Behaviour

Trial Overview The study tests whether whole or chopped almonds in white chocolate influence how much participants eat at a meal, their chewing behavior, and changes in blood sugar and fat levels after eating.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: White chocolate without almonds Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Ad libitum serving

Group II: White chocolate with whole almonds Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Ad libitum serving with 2.25:1 weight per cent chocolate:almonds

Group III: White chocolate with chopped almonds Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Ad libitum serving with 2.25:1 weight per cent chocolate:almonds

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Guelph

Lead Sponsor

Trials

87

Recruited

15,100+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-satiation-satiety-5-2025-2bfab

Chocolate Almonds for Satiety and Blood Sugar (CAS Trial) This trial is for healthy young females interested in how different ways of eating almonds in white chocolate affect fullness and blood sugar levels.

2. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT07065461

The Chocolate Almond Study - Relating Chewing to This study, called the Chocolate Almond Study, is looking at how chewing almonds—either whole or chopped and mixed in white chocolate—affects feelings of ...

3. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/544493-the-chocolate-almond-study-relating-chewing-to-satiation-and-postprandial-response

How Almond Size in White Chocolate Affects Fullness and ... Clinical trial examines how whole vs. chopped almonds in white chocolate affect fullness, blood sugar response, and metabolic health in ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8229803/

A Comprehensive Review of Almond Clinical Trials on Weight ... The satiating efficiency immediately after intake was greater for almonds compared to crackers (p < 0.05). The satiety efficiency decreased over ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/355496627_Snacking_on_Almonds_Lowers_Glycaemia_and_Energy_Intake_Compared_to_a_Popular_High-Carbohydrate_Snack_Food_An_Acute_Randomised_Crossover_Study

Snacking on Almonds Lowers Glycaemia and Energy ... ... Almonds are rich in nutrients, high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which enhance satiety and decrease overall caloric intake. Research indicates that ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7838472/

Changes in the glucose and insulin responses according ... This study developed snack products that elicited a stable increase in postprandial blood glucose and was pleasant for consumption by diabetic patients.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1968

A Comprehensive Review of Almond Clinical Trials on ... This review of RCTs includes 64 RCTs and 14 systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses on almonds and some other nuts on: weight measures including body mass ( ...