Healthy Habits + Pistachios for Insomnia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether eating pistachios and receiving advice on healthy habits can improve sleep for midlife women who often experience poor sleep. Participants will either snack on pistachios or potato chips daily and attend a session with a therapist to discuss diet, activity, and sleep improvements. Women who regularly have trouble sleeping and are in late peri-menopause or early post-menopause might be a good fit for this study. Participants will track their sleep and provide information on their alertness and body health before and after the trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to research that could enhance sleep quality and overall well-being.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are currently using any prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impact sleep quality, you may need to stop taking them to participate in this trial. This includes medications like systemic steroids, growth hormone, and certain antidepressants if their use or dosage has changed in the last 3 months.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that pistachios are generally safe to eat and might aid sleep. They contain melatonin, a natural hormone that promotes sleep. Consuming about 28 grams of pistachios provides approximately 6mg of melatonin, comparable to some supplements. Thus, pistachios could serve as a safe snack for better sleep. Although studies found that pistachios don't significantly alter melatonin levels in saliva, their high melatonin content might still enhance sleep quality.
Research supports lifestyle changes, such as a better diet, regular exercise, and good sleep routines, for improving sleep health. These habits are safe and generally recommended for overall health. Simple changes in daily activities can lead to better sleep without risk.
In summary, both pistachios and healthy habits appear safe and may aid sleep, making them a promising combination to try.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these treatments for insomnia because they combine dietary changes with guided lifestyle adjustments. Unlike standard treatments that often involve medication or cognitive behavioral therapy, these approaches use pistachios or potato chips paired with healthy habit coaching. Pistachios are rich in melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, which could enhance sleep quality. The unique combination of snack-based interventions with personalized lifestyle coaching offers a novel, potentially more holistic approach to managing insomnia.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving sleep in midlife women with poor sleep?
Research shows that pistachios might improve sleep due to their high melatonin content. Melatonin, a natural hormone, regulates sleep-wake cycles. Some studies suggest pistachios contain more melatonin than other nuts, potentially aiding sleep issues. In this trial, participants will consume either pistachios or potato chips alongside interventions promoting healthy habits. Maintaining healthy habits, such as eating well and staying active, is known to enhance sleep quality. Combining pistachios with these habits might further improve sleep. While more research is needed, these early findings suggest a promising link between pistachios and better sleep.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Emily Lantz, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Texas
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for midlife women experiencing poor sleep. Participants will consume a study snack and attend a health education session with a therapist over one month, while tracking their sleep. They'll also provide data on alertness, body composition, and blood lipids.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants consume a study snack (pistachios or potato chips) for 30 days and complete a health education session with a study therapist
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in sleep quality, alertness, body composition, and blood lipids
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- HealthyHabits1
- HealthyHabits2
Trial Overview
The trial tests the effects of pistachios (Snack 1 or Snack 2) combined with one of two HealthyHabits interventions on improving sleep quality in women with insomnia. The impact on alertness, body composition, and blood lipids will be measured before and after the intervention.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants in this arm will consume 2 servings of pistachios for 30 days. They will also meet once with a study therapist for discussion and suggestions to improve sleep habits.
Participants in this arm will consume 2 servings of pistachios per day for 30 days. They will also meet once with a study therapist for discussion and suggestions to improve healthy habits (e.g.,diet/nutrition, activity, sleep).
Participants in this arm will consume 2 servings of potato chips per day for 30 days. They will also meet once with a study therapist for discussion and suggestions to improve healthy habits (e.g.,diet/nutrition, activity, sleep).
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Lead Sponsor
American Pistachio Growers
Collaborator
Citations
Impact of Pistachio Consumption on Sleep
Despite observational data linking greater nut intake with better sleep, and that pistachios contain a significant number of sleep-promoting ...
Plant-based snacking: research and practical applications of ...
Research on the health benefits of nuts is now extensive and supports their regular inclusion in the diet. Whilst the collective results from nut studies can ...
Pistachio Consumption for Insomnia
Additionally, among other nuts, pistachios exhibited significantly higher levels of phytomelatonin, with some varieties containing up to 223 µg/g [21]. These ..
4.
trial.medpath.com
trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/be97126087cd1e16/nct07218822-pistachio-consumption-sleepImpact of Pistachio Consumption on Sleep - MedPath
Despite observational data linking greater nut intake with better sleep, and that pistachios contain a significant number of sleep-promoting compounds, no ...
The Efficacy of ProsomnialTM Compared to a Synthetic ...
... pistachios containing high levels of melatonin, exceeding 12 µg/g [20]. Additionally, among other nuts, pistachios exhibited significantly higher levels of ...
Lifestyle and Behavioral Enhancements of Sleep: A Review
Results: Key findings support the importance of circadian alignment through light exposure, sufficient sleep quantity and timing, and behavior ...
Sleep - Healthy People 2030 | odphp.health.gov
Healthy People 2030 includes objectives focused on helping people get enough sleep, treating sleep disorders, and decreasing drowsy driving.
Raising Awareness of Sleep as a Healthy Behavior
In this essay, we briefly summarize the scientific literature about hours of sleep needed and why sleep is an important public health issue.
9.
heart.org
heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/sleep-better-with-healthy-lifestyle-habitsSleep Better With Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Exercise, diet, and stress can directly affect how well you sleep. Learn how making a few simple lifestyle changes during the day can help ...
10.
sleep.hms.harvard.edu
sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-86Sleep and Health - Division of Sleep Medicine
Most experts have concluded that getting enough high-quality sleep may be as important to health and well-being as nutrition and exercise.
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