Study of Daily Avocado Intake to Support Growth, Brain Development, and Gut Health in Hispanic Infants Aged 4 to 6 Months

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to learn if daily avocado intake can improve growth, brain, and gut health in Hispanic infants aged 4 to 6 months. The study compares infants who consume avocados daily to those with limited or no avocado intake, focusing on how avocado affects gut microbes and developmental milestones like motor skills and cognitive growth. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. Infants in the daily avocado group will be given 14 of a medium-sized avocado daily from 6 to 8 months, increasing to 12 of an avocado daily from 9 to 12 months. The control group will limit avocado intake to no more than 18 of an avocado once per week during the 6-month intervention. After this period, control group infants will receive avocados to try. Families will participate in home visits at 6, 9, and 12 months for data collection including surveys, observations, and measuring infant growth. Parents will swab soiled diapers to analyze gut microbes and keep diaries of avocado consumption and acceptance. Researchers will measure gut microbiome changes, developmental skills using various scales, and infant growth over the 6-month study period.

Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut Microbiome in American Hispanic Infants