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NCT07853898NARecruiting

Effects of Pistachios on Postprandial Metabolic Responses in Adults With Overweight or Obesity

St. Louis University

Start Date

10/1/2026

Completion Date

7/1/2027

Summary

This randomized controlled crossover study will examine the acute effects of pistachio consumption on postprandial metabolic responses in adults with overweight or obesity. Participants will complete two experimental conditions in randomized order. In one condition, participants will consume 30 g of pistachios with a standardized meal, and in the other condition they will receive an isocaloric refined-carbohydrate control condition with the standardized meal. The study will evaluate postprandial insulin and glucose responses over approximately 3 hours after meal consumption. Additional outcomes will include continuous glucose monitoring measures, blood lipid responses, appetite and satiety ratings, and exploratory measures related to insulin sensitivity and gastrointestinal hormone responses. The study is designed to determine whether pistachio consumption alters acute metabolic responses compared with an isocaloric refined-carbohydrate control in adults with overweight or obesity.

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized, controlled, crossover feeding trial designed to investigate the acute effects of pistachio consumption on postprandial metabolic responses in adults with overweight or obesity. Each participant will complete both experimental conditions in randomized order, thereby serving as their own control. Experimental visits will be separated by a washout period. After an overnight fast, participants will receive either 30 g of pistachios or an isocaloric refined-carbohydrate control with a standardized meal. Serial blood samples will be collected during the postprandial period to assess insulin and glucose responses. The primary metabolic outcome will focus on the postprandial insulin response over the 0- to 180-minute period. Additional outcomes will characterize postprandial glucose responses, including measures obtained using continuous glucose monitoring, as well as appetite and satiety ratings and blood lipid responses. Exploratory analyses may include indices of insulin sensitivity and resistance and gastrointestinal hormones involved in metabolic regulation. The crossover design will allow direct within-participant comparison of the pistachio and control conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 18 years to 35 years

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-35 years, male or female, and able to provide informed consent. * BMI ≥25.0 kg/m². Waist circumference and BIA-derived body composition will also be assessed during screening and considered with BMI to help confirm that elevated BMI reflects excess adiposity rather than primarily high muscularity. * Weight stable, defined as no intentional weight loss or body weight change \>3 kg during the previous 3 months. * Generally healthy and not currently taking medications known to substantially affect glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, appetite, or body weight. Stable thyroid hormone replacement for a well-controlled thyroid condition is not automatically exclusionary. * Able to complete a 10-12-hour overnight fast and refrain from vigorous exercise and alcohol for 24 hours before each test meal visit. * Able and willing to consume pistachios, the refined-carbohydrate control food, and the standardized breakfast meal. Exclusion Criteria: * Known diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Individuals with known prediabetes will not be excluded. * Clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including prior myocardial infarction or stroke, uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant arrhythmia, or another cardiovascular condition that could make participation unsafe or meaningfully affect study outcomes. * Chronic kidney disease or another major medical condition that could make participation unsafe or meaningfully affect metabolic outcomes. * Current participation in a weight-loss program, use of weight-loss medications, or history of bariatric surgery within the past year. * Known allergy or intolerance to pistachios, tree nuts, peanuts/peanut butter, wheat/gluten, orange juice/citrus, or any other study-meal ingredient. * Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or another clinically significant gastrointestinal or malabsorption condition that could affect digestion, nutrient absorption, or metabolic responses. * Current ketogenic, very-low-carbohydrate, or medically prescribed diet that could meaningfully interfere with the standardized feeding protocol or metabolic outcomes. * Participation in another clinical research trial within the past 3 months that could affect participant safety or study outcomes. * Recent significant illness, infection, or surgery within the past 4 weeks that could affect participant safety or study outcomes. * Current or prior clinically significant eating disorder that, in the investigator's judgment, could make participation unsafe or interfere with the feeding protocol. * Current smoking, frequent nicotine use, or excessive alcohol use. * Pregnancy, planned pregnancy during the study period, or lactation. * Any condition or medication that, in the investigator's judgment, would make participation unsafe or interfere with outcome measures.

Interventions

OTHER

Pistachio Co-consumption

OTHER

Refined-Carbohydrate Control Co-consumption

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Conditions

Obesity / Overweight

Locations

Saint Louis University

St Louis, Missouri 63104

United States