Appetite responses to pecan-enriched diets

Postprandial appetite responses to a pecan enriched meal: A randomized crossover trial

Longer-term pecan consumption has shown appetite-regulating effects as a part of a free-living diet, yet the physiologic appetite responses to a single pecan-containing meal are unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute physiologic, subjective, and direct appetite responses of a pecan-containing meal to an energy- and macronutrient-matched control meal. This was an acute meal challenge study utilizing a double-blinded randomized crossover design with two periods. Participants were young, healthy adults (BMI: 22.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2, age: 22 ± 3 y) who consumed a meal containing either 68 g of pecans (PEC; 795 kcal) or an energy- and macronutrient-matched control meal (CON; 794 kcal) on separate testing days. At both testing visits, five postprandial blood draws, and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires (in-lab) were used to determine differences in peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and subjective appetite over a 4-h postprandial period. Participants also completed VAS questionnaires (at-home) and food records for the rest of the day after leaving the testing visits. Thirty-one out of thirty-two randomized participants completed the study. There was a greater overall postprandial PYY response (p < 0.001), and a greater suppression of postprandial ghrelin after time point 120 min (p < 0.001), with the PEC vs. CON meal. Further, there was a greater increase in subjective fullness (p = 0.001), and suppression of at-home overall appetite (p = 0.02), from time 240-780 min post-meal with PEC vs. CON meals. There were no differences in self-reported EI between meals or any other VAS measure. In conclusion, a pecan-containing breakfast shake produced more favorable physiologic and subjective improvements in appetite compared to an energy- and macronutrient-matched control meal. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05230212).

A Randomized, Crossover Trial Assessing Appetite, Energy Metabolism, Blood Biomarkers, and Ad Libitum Food Intake Responses to a Mid-Morning Pecan Snack vs. an Equicaloric High-Carbohydrate Snack in Healthy Volunteers with Overweight/Obesity

BACKGROUND

The differential effects of pecans versus other popular snack foods on appetite and blood markers of metabolism and satiety have not been well studied. This study investigated the effects of a single mid-morning snack of pecans or tortilla chips on subjective appetite, food intake, blood measures of hormones and metabolites, and resting energy expenditure.

METHODS

Twenty participants with overweight and obesity were enrolled in a within-participants, randomized crossover trial. Participants had indwelling catheters placed for blood sampling and were fed a standardized breakfast, followed two hours later by a 250 kcal snack of either pecans or tortilla chips, and then by a self-selected lunch. Visual analog scale (VAS) appetite measures, blood markers, and energy expenditure were taken at intervals after food consumption.

RESULTS

VAS ratings, energy, food intake and macronutrient composition did not differ between treatment conditions, but glucose and insulin were significantly more elevated after tortilla chips. Free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were higher after consuming pecans compared to tortilla chips.

CONCLUSIONS

Pecan consumption improves postprandial glucose and insulin profiles which would be beneficial to individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Further studies are needed to investigate whether increased relative secretion of PYY and GLP-1 after eating pecans versus tortilla chips may affect subjective appetite and energy intake if consumed chronically.

Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) and cashew nut oil reduce cardiovascular risk factors in adults on weight-loss treatment: a randomized controlled three-arm trial (Brazilian Nuts Study)

Introduction

Cashew nut contains bioactive compounds that modulate satiety and food intake, but its effects on body fat during energy restriction remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of cashew nut and cashew nut oil on body fat (primary outcome) as well as adiposity, cardiometabolic and liver function markers (secondary outcomes).

Materials and methods

An eight-week (8-wk) randomized controlled-feeding study involved 68 adults with overweight/obesity (40 women, BMI: 33 ± 4 kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the energy-restricted (-500 kcal/d) groups: control (CT, free-nuts), cashew nut (CN, 30 g/d), or cashew nut oil (OL, 30 mL/d). Body weight, body composition, and blood collection were assessed at the baseline and endpoint of the study.

Results

After 8-wk, all groups reduced significantly body fat (CT: -3.1 ± 2.8 kg; CN: -3.3 ± 2.7 kg; OL: -1.8 ± 2.6 kg), body weight (CT: -4.2 ± 3.8 kg; CN: -3.9 ± 3.1 kg; OL: -3.4 ± 2.4 kg), waist (CT: -5.1 ± 4.6 cm; CN: -3.9 ± 3.9 cm; OL: -3.7 ± 5.3 cm) and hip circumferences (CT: -2.9 ± 3.0 cm; CN: -2.7 ± 3.1 cm; OL: -2.9 ± 2.3 cm). CN-group reduced liver enzymes (AST: -3.1 ± 5.3 U/L; ALT: -6.0 ± 9.9 U/L), while the OL-group reduced LDL-c (-11.5 ± 21.8 mg/dL) and atherogenic index (-0.2 ± 0.5). Both intervention groups decreased neck circumference (CN: -1.0 ± 1.2 cm; OL: -0.5 ± 1.2 cm) and apo B (CN: -6.6 ± 10.7 mg/dL; OL: -7.0 ± 15.3 mg/dL).

Conclusion

After an 8-wk energy-restricted intervention, all groups reduced body fat (kg), weight, and some others adiposity indicators, with no different effect of cashew nut or cashew nut oil. However, participants in the intervention groups experienced additional reductions in atherogenic marker, liver function biomarkers, and cardiovascular risk factors (neck circumference and apo B levels), with these effects observed across the OL group, CN group, and both intervention groups, respectively.Clinical trial registration:https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8xzkyp2, identifier 8xzkyp2.

A 4-Week Pecan-Enriched Diet Improves Postprandial Lipid Peroxidation in Aging Adults

Pecans are rich in bioactive compounds known to reduce oxidative stress and provide glucoregulatory benefits. Few studies assessing the effect of a pecan-enriched diet on such health outcomes suggest potential improvements to cardiometabolic health; however, this has not been studied in an older adult population. Thus, we aimed to examine the effect of daily pecan consumption for 4-weeks on fasting and postmeal antioxidant status, oxidative stress, and markers of glycemia in healthy aging adults. In this randomized, parallel, controlled trial, 41 healthy adults (50-75 years) either consumed 68 g of pecans/day (pecan; n = 21) or avoided all nuts (control; n = 20). At pre- (V1) and postintervention visits (V2), blood samples were obtained at fasting, and 30, 60, and 120 min following a high saturated fat meal to assess changes in malondialdehyde, which is a measure of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glucose, and insulin. Across the intervention, there were no differences in fasting or postprandial TAC, glucose, or insulin for pecan versus control. There was a trend for a difference in fasting lipid peroxidation from V1 to V2 by treatment (P = .06) driven by a slight reduction for pecan versus control (Δpecan: -2.0 ± 1.1 vs. Δcontrol: +0.6 ± 0.8 μM). In addition, postprandial lipid peroxidation was suppressed at V2 for pecan, and this was different from control (pecan areas under the curve (AUC): 10.6 ± 1.3 μM/h to 9.1 ± 1.2 μM/h vs. control AUC: 8.9 ± 1.3 μM/h to 9.2 ± 1.1 μM/h; P = .03). These findings suggest that a 1 month, pecan-enriched diet is protective against postmeal oxidative stress. Longer interventions or a diabetic population may be needed to observe glucoregulatory benefits. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04385537.

A pecan-enriched diet reduced postprandial appetite intensity and enhanced peptide YY secretion: A randomized control trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Tree nuts have been shown to have satiating qualities; however, little is known concerning the effect of pecans on measures of appetite. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a pecan-enriched diet on subjective, physiological, and direct measures of appetite in older adults.

METHODS

This was a randomized, controlled trial in which healthy older adults (50-75 y) were randomized to either consume 68 g of pecans/day (pecan; n = 21) or avoid all nuts (control; n = 23) for 4 weeks. At pre- (V1) and post-diet (V2) visits body weight (BW) and body fat percentage (BF) were assessed and actual change in these outcomes for pecan were compared to theoretical changes if pecans were consumed without compensation. Subjective appetite was measured using visual analog scale (VAS), and blood was collected to assess changes in physiological appetite before and every 30 min for 4 h following a high-fat meal. Energy intake (EI) at a buffet meal was then assessed in the laboratory ("in-lab"). VAS assessments continued hourly for the next 7 h and EI ("at-home") was self-reported.

RESULTS

BW and BF did not change for pecan or control across the intervention and theoretical change in BW (theoretical: 2.2 ± 0.1 vs. actual: 0.4 ± 0.2 kg; p < 0.0001) and BF (theoretical: 0.4 ± 0.04 vs. actual: 0.2 ± 0.2%; p < 0.0001) was significantly greater than actual change for pecan. From V1 to V2, there was an increase in fasting (pecan: 77.0 ± 4.6 to 93.5 ± 6.1 vs control: 76.0 ± 5.0 to 72.5 ± 5.0 pg/mL; p = 0.01) and postprandial peptide YY for pecan vs. control (p = 0.04); however, fasting and postprandial cholecystokinin and ghrelin did not differ (p > 0.05). There were no differences in the change in subjective appetite ratings at fasting, following the high-fat meal (in-lab), at-home, or across the full day between groups (p > 0.05 for all). However, there was a significant suppression of peak desire to eat ratings for pecan vs. control (pecan: 67.9 ± 4.6 to 57.1 ± 5.2 vs. control: 61.9 ± 4.2 to 60.6 ± 4.3 mm; p = 0.04). Combined, buffet meal, and at-home EI did not differ significantly within pecan and control; however, there was a trend (p = 0.11) for a between group difference in buffet meal EI driven by increased EI for control (+137 ± 86 kcal) vs. decreased EI for pecan (-45 ± 77 kcal).

CONCLUSION

A 4-week pecan-enriched diet led to enhanced satietogenic metrics compared to a diet void of all nuts. As weight remained stable during the intervention, adding pecans to the daily diet may be beneficial to appetite control and weight maintenance in a healthy older population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04385537.

Hunger and satiety responses to diets enriched with cottonseed oil vs. olive oil

Studies suggest that the type of dietary fat consumed habitually may modulate appetite and further influence weight management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an 8-week diet intervention enriched with either cottonseed oil (CSO; polyunsaturated fat-rich) or olive oil (OO; monounsaturated fat-rich) on appetite responses in adults with high cholesterol. This was a parallel design, randomized partial outpatient feeding trial designed to provide approximately 60% of participants daily energy needs with ∼30% of energy needs as CSO (n = 21, BMI 27.3 ± 0.92 kg/m², age 53 ± 2y) or OO (n = 21, BMI 27.6 ± 1.20 kg/m², age 54 ± 2y). A high saturated fat meal challenge was completed at pre- and post-intervention visits with 5 h postprandial blood draws and visual analog scales (VAS) for cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, and subjective appetite, respectively. Participants also completed VAS questionnaires hourly and recorded dietary intake after leaving the lab for the remainder of the day. There was a greater increase in fasting CCK (CSO: 0.54 ± 0.03 to 0.56 ± 0.04; OO: 0.63 ± 0.07 to 0.60 ± 0.06 ng/ml p = 0.05), a greater suppression of postprandial ghrelin (p < 0.01), and a greater increase in postprandial VAS fullness (p = 0.04) in CSO compared to OO. Additionally, there was a greater decrease in self-reported energy intake in CSO compared to OO (CSO: 2464 ± 123 to 2115 ± 123; OO: 2263 ± 147 to 2,434 ± 184 kcal/d p = 0.02). Only postprandial VAS prospective consumption showed greater suppression (p = 0.03) in OO vs. CSO. Altogether, these data show that CSO has a greater effect on appetite suppression than OO diet enrichment and may be beneficial for weight maintenance, especially in a population at-risk for chronic disease. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04397055.