WHNRC (Western Human Nutrition Research Center) Honey Study

Last updated: January 30, 2025
Sponsor: USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Stress

Treatment

Honey plus almonds

Sucrose

Sucrose plus almonds

Clinical Study ID

NCT06107231
FL118
  • Ages 18-40
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The purpose of this research is to compare two snacks, one with honey and nuts and the other with sugar and nuts, on glucose levels before and after eating these snacks.

The investigators hypothesize that honey and nuts will have an additive effect on the reduction of postprandial glucose response. The investigators further hypothesize that consumption of honey paired with nuts will retain the benefit of sugar consumption in satiety and reduction of metabolic stress.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women must be pre-menopausal

  • Willing to consume snacks that contain honey, table sugar, and tree nuts

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) <18.5 or >40

  • Allergies to tree nuts

  • Current medical diagnoses of chronic diseases including cardiovascular or pulmonarydiseases, renal diseases, cancer, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, thyroid diseaserequiring medication, inflammatory or irritable bowel diseases, or those with recentmajor surgeries

  • No individuals who fall in to the vulnerable categories of adults including thoseunable to consent, pregnant women, children, or prisoners will be eligible for thisstudy

  • Routinely taking medications known to affect glucose response.

  • Caffeine and alcohol use will not be excluded, but should be carefully reported byeach subject.

Regarding female candidates:

  • Post-menopausal

  • Women who have been pregnant or nursing within the last 6 months or plan to becomepregnant during the trial will be ineligible

Study Design

Total Participants: 80
Treatment Group(s): 4
Primary Treatment: Honey plus almonds
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 16, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
September 30, 2026

Study Description

Consuming sugar creates a feeling of satiation, and may buffer metabolic stress. However, prolonged postprandial hyperglycemia has been identified as a potential risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nuts, which are recommended to be consumed as part of a Mediterranean diet, up to 2 servings per day, have been shown to dramatically reduce postprandial glucose response to carbohydrates. Additionally, honey, which is typically used as an added sugar within a Mediterranean diet pattern, has a lower glycemic index than table sugar and may result in a reduced postprandial glucose response relative to other nutritive sweeteners. However, it is not yet known whether honey can work additively with nuts to further reduce postprandial glucose response over the reduction caused by nuts alone.

Honey has been shown to produce equivalent or greater satiety to regular table sugar and there is some indication that honey can improve immediate/working memory. Therefore, combined consumption of honey and nuts may offer a way to maximize the benefits of carbohydrate consumption on satiety and metabolic stress reduction while minimizing its negative effects on metabolism. However, it is not yet known whether sugars contained in the more complex food matrix of honey, consumed together with a food like nuts can impact satiety and metabolic stress in the way that has been observed for sugar.

Connect with a study center

  • USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

    Davis, California 95616
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.