Recruiting

Herbs & Spices

Sponsor:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Code:

NCT07082348

Conditions

Dietary Quality

Feasibility Studies

College Student

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Gut Microbiome

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this single-arm feasibility, pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of the Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program (HSNP-focusing on incorporating herbs and spices into the diet for adherence to the DGA's) for determining the scalability of implementing this intervention for a larger scale, more comprehensive study The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • What is the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating herbs and spices into the diet along with DGA-focused nutrition education through the HSNP in college students with poor dietary quality?
  • What are the preliminary effects of the HSNP on dietary intake/quality, cardiometabolic, and gut health in college students with poor dietary quality?
  • What are the barriers associated with HSNP implementation in college students with poor dietary quality?

Participants will:

  • Be asked to come to the study site initially for a Screening Study Visit to confirm eligibility.
  • Be asked to come the clinical study site for a Pre-HSNP and Post-HSNP Study Visit (one week prior starting the HSNP and after week 6 of completing the HSNP) for assessments of cardiometabolic and gut health.
  • Be asked to come to the Nutrition Center for weeks 0 and 3 of the HSNP, where they will receive education on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the health benefits of herbs and spices, have a sensory evaluation of foods, be provided budget-friendly recipes and resources, and given take-home herbs, spices, and supporting materials
  • Be asked to complete 3-Day Food Records throughout the 6 week study period for assessment of dietary quality (4 total)

Conditions

Dietary Quality

Feasibility Studies

College Student

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Gut Microbiome

Study ID

NCT07082348

Start date

Jul 3, 2025

Status verified date

Jun, 2025

Completion date

Dec 31, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Oct 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • College students (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Ages 18-39 years
  • BMI 18.5-40 kg/m
  • Having poor dietary quality (a Rapid Prime Diet Quality Score of 12 or below),
  • Maintain current lifestyle habits (e.g., medications/ supplement use, exercise, and sleep), and avoid taking new supplements or medications throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • BMIs <18.5 or >40 kg/m2
  • Autoimmune disease or immune compromised
  • A recent diagnosis of cancer or under current treatment for cancer
  • A history of kidney stones
  • Having pacemaker
  • Participating in a weight loss program
  • Having a history of any significant GI disease
  • Insulin use
  • Currently on dialysis
  • Currently consuming pro-/pre-biotics or antiobiotics
  • Diagnosed with unstable chronic metabolic disease
  • Have allergies to any herbs and spices
  • Are pregnant/nursing
  • Participating in another investigational study
  • Unable or unwilling to give consent

Study Design

Enrollment

30 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program

Participants will attend two group visits at the UNLV Nutrition Center (weeks 0 and 3 of the 6-week intervention), where trained RDs will deliver the HSNP, covering the principles and health benefits of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), recommended food group intake, and practical, budget-friendly strategies for incorporating herbs and spices into the diet. Sessions will include education, supporting materials, and a sensory evaluation of 20 foods (spanning fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins) prepared with various herbs and spices, rated using a 9-point hedonic scale to identify preferred flavor profiles and promote long-term DGA adherence through enhanced taste and acceptability.

Interventions

Herbs and Spices Nutrition Education Program

Participants will attend two group visits at the UNLV Nutrition Center (weeks 0 and 3 of the 6-week intervention), where trained RDs will deliver the HSNP, covering the principles and health benefits of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), recommended food group intake, and practical, budget-friendly strategies for incorporating herbs and spices into the diet. Sessions will include education, supporting materials, and a sensory evaluation of 20 foods (spanning fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins) prepared with various herbs and spices, rated using a 9-point hedonic scale to identify preferred flavor profiles and promote long-term DGA adherence through enhanced taste and acceptability.

Primary outcome measure

  • Changes in Dietary Quality [ Time Frame: Pre- and Post- HSNP: 6 weeks ]
  • Changes In Dietary Intake [ Time Frame: Pre- and Post- HSNP: 6 weeks ]
  • Feasibility of HSNP [ Time Frame: Pre- and Post- HSNP: 6 weeks ]
  • Adherence of HSNP [ Time Frame: Pre- and Post- HSNP: 6 weeks ]
  • Acceptability of HSNP [ Time Frame: Pre- and Post- HSNP: 6 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD

702-570-3358neda.akhavan@unlv.edu

Sara K Rosenkranz, PhD

702-895-0938sara.rosenkranz@unlv.edu

Locations

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, Las Vegas, Nevada

Recruiting

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89154

Contacts

Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD

702-570-3358neda.akhavan@unlv.edu

Principal Investigator:

Neda S Akhavan, PhD, RD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Last update posted

Nov 24, 2025

Last verified

Jun, 2025

Keywords

  • dietary quality
  • dietary guidelines for americans
  • college students
  • cardiometabolic health
  • gut microbiome

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Nevada, Las Vegas on 2025-11-24.