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Pecan Snacking for Prediabetes

This study is looking at how eating pecans instead of your usual snacks might affect your blood sugar control and heart health if you have prediabetes. Researchers want to see if replacing snacks high in unhealthy fats and sugars with 1.5 ounces of pecans daily for 16 weeks can make a difference. You could be eligible if you are between 25 and 65 years old, have prediabetes (an HbA1c of 5.7-6.4%), and don't eat many nuts currently. The main goal is to see if pecan snacking changes your HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar) after 16 weeks. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is a 16-week randomized controlled trial with a planned enrollment of 147 participants. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: pecan snacking or continuing their usual diet.
What's involved
You would either replace your usual snacks with 1.5 ounces of pecans daily for 16 weeks, or continue your current diet for 16 weeks. Measures will be taken at the beginning and end of the 16-week study period.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint is measured at 16 weeks, which is the duration of the study.

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NCT07235358

Cardiometabolic Effects of Pecan Snacking in Prediabetes

Recruiting
NAAges 25–65InterventionalPrevention
Penn State University
~147 participants
Updated 2026-05-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Pecan snackingUsual diet

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in HbA1c
Measured over 16 weeks

Conditions

Prediabetes

Explore related trials

Prediabetes

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Pennsylvania1

Who to contact

Kristina Petersen, PhD
[email protected]
814-865-7206
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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

What this trial measures

  • Change in HbA1c16 weeks

    HbA1c will be assessed at baseline and 16-weeks and expressed as percentage . The change in HbA1c will be calculated by subtracting the baseline value from the 16 week value and expressed as percentage point change.