Study Overview
A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 31 relatively healthy overweight or obese adults, 25-60 years of age, who consumed three meals in random order:
- Meal 1: low-fat control meal (14% energy from fat, 5 g fiber) containing a bagel sandwich, honeydew melon, oatmeal and a lemonade drink
- Meal 2: half an avocado included in the control meal (40% energy from fat, 9 g fiber) with addition of butter to adjust total fat content
- Meal 3: one whole avocado incorporated into the same control meal (43% energy from fat, 13 g fiber)
Visual analog scales (VAS) measured subjective satiety up to 6 hours post-meal. Blood hormones associated with satiety/appetite were measured.
Published: April 2019, Nutrients
Study funded by Hass Avocado Board
Category: Healthy Living at Every Age, Weight Management
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Key Takeaways
Relative to a low fat, isocaloric, control meal, one whole avocado in a breakfast meal suppressed hunger and improved meal satisfaction. Relative to the meal containing half an avocado, participants reported being less tired when they ate the meal that included a whole avocado.
Relative to a low fat, isocaloric, control meal, including half an avocado in a breakfast meal decreased feelings of fullness yet improved meal satisfaction.
Strength of study:
- Use of gold standard design (randomized clinical trial).
- A dose response investigation (0, ½, and one whole avocado).
- Use of readily available grocery store items for easy real life food swaps.
As in all research, the study has its limitations. The study population size was limited so it is unknown whether the results apply to the general U.S. population. A half or a whole avocado were consumed in the test meals so the effects of one serving (1/3 medium avocado) on study outcomes is unknown.
The trial was limited in study duration with only six hours follow-up time and only 31 of 39 participants completed the study. Gut hormones were not analyzed for the half an avocado meals.
Additionally, no follow-up test meal was provided to assess the impact of avocado on food intake later in the day. Therefore, results should be interpreted with caution. Additional long term intervention trials are needed to assess the effect of avocado intake on markers of satiety, food intake and body weight in a larger U.S. representative population.
Reference: 1. Zhu, L., et. al. Using the avocado to test the satiety effects of a fat-fiber combination in place of carbohydrate energy in a breakfast meal in overweight and obese men and women: a randomized clinical trial. Nutrients 2019
