Cardiometabolic Effects of Pecan Snacking in Prediabetes

NCT ID: NCT07235358

Last Updated: 2025-11-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 147 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2027-09-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of replacing snacks higher in saturated fats and added sugars with pecans on blood sugar control, heart health and diet quality in individuals with prediabetes. Participants will be randomized into one of two groups. Group 1 will consume 1.5 oz of pecans per day in place of normally consumed snacks higher in saturated fat and added sugars for 16 weeks. Group 2 will be asked to continue consuming their current diet for 16 weeks. Measures will be taken to evaluate blood sugar, heart health and dietary intake at the beginning and 16 weeks later.

Detailed Description

This is a 16-week randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to either: 1) replace current snacks higher in saturated fat and added sugars with 1.5 oz/day of pecans; 2) continue their habitual diet. At the beginning and the end of the 16-week study period, testing will be conducted.

Conditions

Prediabetes

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Pecan snacking group

Participants will be provided with 1.5 oz/day of pecans and asked to eat these instead of typically consumed snacks higher in saturated fat and added sugars.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pecan snacking

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Replacement of typically consumed snacks with 1.5 oz/day of pecans

Usual diet

Participants will be asked to continue consuming their usual diet. To match attention and resources, participants will be provided with a grocery voucher in approximately equivalent value to the pecans.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Usual diet

Intervention Type: OTHER

Continue with usual diet

Interventions

Pecan snacking

Replacement of typically consumed snacks with 1.5 oz/day of pecans

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Usual diet

Continue with usual diet

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 25-65 years
• Prediabetes assessed by an HbA1c of 5.7-6.4% at screening
• BMI 25-40 kg/m2 at screening
• Low habitual nut consumption (<3.5 oz-eq/week) assessed at the telephone screening
• Regularly eats snacks higher in saturated fat and/or added sugars assessed at the telephone screening

Exclusion Criteria

• LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL at screening
• Hemoglobin <13.2 g/dL at screening
• Fasting triglycerides >350 mg/dL at screening
• ≥10% change in body weight within the 6 months prior to enrollment
• Blood pressure >140/90 mmHg at screening
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Prescription of anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, or glucose-lowering drugs
• Intake of supplements or over-the-counter medications that affect the outcomes of interest (i.e., lipid, blood pressure, or glucose lowering; vitamin C or multi-vitamins containing vitamin C) and are unwilling to cease during the study period.
• History of liver, kidney, or autoimmune disease
• Prior cardiovascular event (e.g., stroke, heart attack)
• Current pregnancy or intention of pregnancy within the next 12 months
• Lactation within the prior 6 months
• Pecan allergy/intolerance/sensitivity/dislike
• Unwilling/unable to eat 1.5 oz of pecans every day as a snack during the duration of the study
• Antibiotic use within the prior 4 weeks
• Oral steroid use within the prior 4 weeks
• Use of tobacco or nicotine-containing products within the past 6 months
• History of cancer at any site within the past 10 years (eligible if ≥10 years without recurrence) or non-melanoma skin cancer within the past 5 years (eligible if ≥5 years without recurrence)
• Participation in another clinical trial within 60 days of baseline
• Unwilling to contact study staff before enrolling in other health-related research and avoid participating in any research that may interfere with this study.
• Currently following a restricted or weight-loss diet
• Prior bariatric surgery
• Intake of >14 alcoholic drinks/week and/or not willing to avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours prior to test visits
• Principal Investigator discretion related to the potential participant's ability to adhere to the study requirements, including being able to come to attend visits
• Does not speak and/or understand English
• Unwilling to refrain from donating blood or plasma during the study
• Weight <110 lb
• If a potential participant takes thyroid medicine, abnormal thyroid stimulated hormone (TSH) concentration (TSH outside of normal range), or change in dose of thyroid medication within the last 6 months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

American Pecan Promotion Board

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Penn State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Kristina Petersen PhD, APD, FAHA

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Kristina Petersen, PhD

Role: CONTACT

kup63@psu.edu

814-865-7206

Stacey Meily

Role: CONTACT

sas117@psu.edu

814-863-8622

Other Identifiers

PEC

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id