Love avocados? Two universities in Southern California may have the diet for you.
Loma Linda University and UCLA each seek 250 men and women for a study that examines whether avocados help with weight loss.
Joan Sabaté, director of the LLU’s Center for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, suggests that avocados, a fruit high in fat, consumed in moderate amounts may promote the loss of belly fat, in particular. LLU and UCLA are two of four universities involved in the six-month study, according to a news release from LLU. Researchers at Penn State University and Tufts University also will recruit 250 participants each for the study, which is funded by the Hass Avocado Board.
According to Sabaté, the board’s sponsorship will not affect the findings.
“For the last 20 years, we have been doing dietary intervention studies on plant-based foods and nuts. We are rigorous in our selection of projects,” he said in the news release.
Participants will be divided into two groups – a test group and a control group – and will be paid $300 each upon completion of the study.
Response from potential participants has been “overwhelming,” according to a website for the study. Potential participants are encouraged to check back in two weeks to complete the screening questionnaire.
To be considered for the study, participants must:
- Be 25 years of age or older
- Be willing to either eat one avocado per day for six months as part of the test group
- Be willing to eat only two avocados per month for six months as part of the control group
- Measure at least 40 inches around the waist if they are male
- Measure at least 35 inches around the waist if they are female
To learn more about the study, visit www.HATstudy.org, email HATstudy@llu.edu or call 909-558-8382.
