Actively Recruiting
An Avocado Intervention to Increase Nutrients in Human Milk to Support Infant Cognitive Development
Led by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Updated on 2026-04-21
88
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
A
Avocado Nutrition Center
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether eating avocados by breastfeeding mothers can provide important nutrients in human milk that support brain development in their infants. This interventional study involves healthy lactating women around 13 weeks postpartum and their infants. The goal is to see if mothers will consume five avocados a week for 12 weeks and to measure the presence of choline, lutein, and fatty acids in their milk. The study also aims to assess cognitive benefits in infants whose mothers eat avocados compared to those who do not. Mothers will be randomly assigned to either an avocado group, where they consume one avocado daily for 12 weeks, or a comparison group with no avocado intervention. Participants will visit the lab three times over six months: at enrollment (around 3 months postpartum), 4.5 months, and 6 months. Milk samples will be collected biweekly and picked up from participants, with the avocado group receiving new avocados at each pickup. Mothers will also provide diet information during these visits. Infants will undergo cognitive tests including a recognition memory test at 6 months and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 4.5 months. Mothers will complete temperament questionnaires at 3 and 6 months. Saliva samples will be collected, and researchers will monitor changes in choline, lutein, and fatty acid levels in milk. The study will track adherence to avocado consumption and measure infant cognitive development over the six-month period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Avocado Consumption, Nutrients in Human Milk, and Infant Cognitive Development
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy lactating women at 13 weeks postpartum
- Planning to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months of age
- Gave birth at 38 weeks or greater gestation without remarkable incident
- Pre-pregnancy BMI less than 30
You will not qualify if you...
- Gestational diabetes
- Infant with diagnosis or suspicion of developmental delay
- Any documented seizure activity in infant
- Family history of avocado, latex, or banana allergies
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
3 visits (in-person) across 6 months
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants in the avocado group consume one avocado daily for 12 weeks while milk samples are collected every two weeks. Participants in the no avocado group do not receive an intervention. Diet data is collected every two weeks and milk samples are picked up from participants.
Milk sample pickups and diet data collection every two weeks during 12 weeks
Duration - Up to 6 months postpartum
Infants complete a recognition memory test at 6 months and Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 4.5 months. Mothers complete temperament questionnaires at 3 and 6 months. Saliva samples are collected during the study period.
3 visits (in-person) at enrollment/3 months, 4.5 months, and 6 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Nutrition Research Institute
Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States, 28081
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Carol L Cheatham, Ph.D.
S
Study Coordinator
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here