Actively Recruiting
Guac & Grow: Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut Microbiome in American Hispanic Infants
Led by Arizona State University · Updated on 2025-08-27
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
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 1/4 of a medium-sized avocado daily from 6 to 8 months, increasing to 1/2 of an avocado daily from 9 to 12 months. The control group will limit avocado intake to no more than 1/8 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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut Microbiome in American Hispanic Infants
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Hispanic/Latine infants aged 4 to 6 months
- Infants born full-term (more than 37 weeks gestation) as single births
- Infants born to mothers aged 18 years or older during pregnancy
- Parents or guardians speak English and/or Spanish
- Families willing to feed avocado to infants daily starting around 6 months for 6 months
- At least one caregiver in the home has at least an 8th-grade education
- If parents have avocado or latex allergies, physician clearance for infant participation is required
You will not qualify if you...
- Infants with growth problems, chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, developmental or cognitive impairments, or severe health conditions affecting growth
- Infants born with congenital abnormalities or developmental delays
- Infant birth weight less than 2500 g or more than 4000 g
- Infants introduced to solid foods before 3 months of age
- Biological mothers with known substance use during pregnancy or high-risk pregnancies such as preeclampsia, diabetes, or HIV
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.
1 visit (in-person) to confirm eligibility and provide study information
Duration - 6 months
Participants in the daily avocado group receive daily avocado exposure from 6 to 12 months of age, while control participants limit avocado exposure to once per week. Developmental and gut microbiome measures are collected during this period.
3 home visits at 6, 9, and 12 months of age for assessments
Duration - 6 months
Control group participants receive the same quantity of avocado for 6 months after the initial intervention period to benefit from avocado consumption.
Visits not specified; participants are observed during this period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
College of Health Solutions
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Corrie M Whisner, PhD
R
Rachel Tribby, BS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
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