A handful of peanuts a day might keep stress at bay
NCT ID NCT07735221
First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 6 times
Summary
This trial investigates whether eating a daily serving of peanuts can reduce stress and improve markers of heart health in adults who report high stress levels. Participants will eat either peanuts or a calorie-matched snack for a period, while researchers measure changes in stress perception, immune function, inflammation, and other cardiovascular risk factors. The goal is to see if this simple food could help protect the heart in people under chronic stress.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Roasted salted peanuts with skins
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary change to help manage stress and lower cardiovascular disease risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with 70 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefits of peanuts for stress are not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 70 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females * 18-65 years old * BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and ≤ 39.9 kg/ m2 * Recruitment will be based on Perceived Stress Scale - 4 (PSS-4) score Exclusion Criteria: * Less than 18 and over 65 years old * Pregnant or lactating women * Adults who rely on prescription medication that may influence study variables, apart from birth control * BMI \< 18.5 kg/m2 and \> 39.9 kg/m2 * Smokers who currently use tobacco- or marijuana-containing products including e-cigarettes, vape pens, pod mods, tanks, and electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS) * Habitual consumption of nuts, nut butters, nut powders, nut side dishes, nut bars or other nut products * Known food allergies (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame, corn) due to samples not prepared in a hypoallergenic environment * Currently living in close contact with individuals who have an allergy to peanuts, in order to avoid exposing these individuals to an allergen * Self-reported history of difficulties with blood drawing procedures including prior fainting or dizziness, or veins assessed as not suitable for four separate venipunctures by licensed phlebotomist * Diagnosed active chronic diseases for which the individual is currently taking daily medication, including but not limited to: * Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding disorders, asthma, autoimmune disorders, hypertension, osteoporosis * Recent minor surgery (within 4 weeks) or major surgery (within 16 weeks) * Known gallbladder disease or history of cholecystectomy * History of gastrointestinal surgery, including gastric bypass surgery or resection * Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome * Recent antibiotic therapy (within 4 weeks) * Recent hospitalization (within 4 weeks) * Current participation in another research study * Has HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or another disease that affects the immune system * Gives regular blood donations and is unwilling to stop during the study * Blood Pressure ≥ 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic * Current diagnoses of an eating disorder (ex. anorexia, bulimia, etc.) * High - very high triglyceride levels: ≥ 300 mg/dL * Adults who are unable to consent, individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children and teenagers), pregnant women and prisoners will be excluded from participation in the study * Participants who are unwilling to collect and transport urine, stool and saliva samples * Abnormal hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels * Abnormal liver function (defined as liver enzymes that are \>200% of upper limit (ALT upper limit is 43 U/L or Aspartate transaminase (AST) upper limit is 54 U/L) * Unwillingness to discontinue probiotic, prebiotic, fiber, or other supplements (except RDA-level vitamin and mineral supplements) during the study * Unwilling to consume study foods * Alcohol consumption \> 20 g/day
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Western Human Nutrition Research Center
RECRUITINGDavis, California, 95616, United States
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