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Researchers seek overweight men and women for a study investigating the effects of dark chocolate and almonds on cardiovascular disease risk

Research Participant Criteria

To be eligible for this study, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Gender: Male or Female
  • Age: 30 - 70 Years
  • Not allergic to nuts
  • Non-smoker
  • Overweight or obese
  • Not taking cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure-lowering medication
  • Free of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney, and blood vessel disease
  • Can come to the Penn State campus Monday-Friday to pick-up study food

Research Study Details

Effect of polyphenolic-rich dark chocolate and almonds on CVD risk factors

This 16-week, controlled-feeding, nutritional study examines the effects of dark chocolate and almonds on blood fat levels, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors

  • We are looking for participants between the ages of 30 and 70, and with a BMI between 26 and 35. (You can check your BMI at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/)
  • Participants should be not currently using tobacco; not currently taking cholesterol-lowering medication or supplements; not currently taking glucose-lowering medication or blood pressure-lowering medication; not currently taking anti-inflammatory medications habitually; and not consuming more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week.
  • We give you all food and some beverages for 16 weeks. You are provided with 3 meals and a snack every day.
  • You will pick up your food at the Henderson building on the Penn State campus between 7am and 5pm every day, Monday through Friday. On Friday, you will be given Saturday and Sunday's food in a transportable cooler.
  • There are four 4-week feeding periods and three 2-week compliance breaks (total 22 weeks). 
  • You are asked not to consume any other food or caloric beverages other than those provided or allowed during the 6-week feeding period.  Caffeine intake should be limited to five 8-oz. caffeine-containing beverages/day, and alcohol consumption should be limited to 2 drinks/week.
  • We draw blood 11 times during the course of the study.
  • We also perform vascular ultrasound tests by flow-mediated dilation (measures the health of your blood vessels), collect 24-hour urine samples, and collect 24-hour blood pressure measurements (with an ambulatory blood pressure device).  These measurements will be taken at baseline and the end of each diet period (5 times each throughout the study).
  • Endpoint clinic visits, which are held at the Clinical Research Center in Noll Lab, and take about 75-90 min spread over two days.
  • This is NOT a weight loss study.
  • The compensation for this study is $200 and is considered income.

Study Dates, Times and Location

Study Available by Appointment?: Yes
Location: Clinical Research Center (Noll Lab) and Henderson Building
Approximate Participant Study Length: 16 Weeks

In this study we will give you all food and some beverages for 16 weeks.  There will be four, 4-week feeding periods and three, 2-week compliance breaks for a total time commitment of 22 weeks.

Compensation: $200

Contact Information

Claire Berryman
1-866-PSU-DIET
psudiet@gmail.com

This study has been approved by a Penn State Institutional Review Board (IRB). IRB Approval Number 36847