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Pulses: Optimizing Pulse Consumption for Cardiometabolic Health

Who can join

Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥ 18 years old (with no upper age limit)
* Currently consuming less than 1.5 cup-equivalents of pulses per week
* Willing and able to participate in a 12-week dietary intervention focused on increased pulse consumption
* Able to communicate in English and provide written informed consent
* Assessed as suitable to participate in a nutrition intervention by the study dietitian or primary healthcare provider

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals already consuming \>150 minutes/week of pulse-based dietary programming or otherwise regularly meeting high pulse intake benchmarks at baseline
* Patients with food allergies or intolerances that preclude the consumption of pulses
* Individuals who have not received clearance from their healthcare provider to make significant dietary modifications
* Participants anticipating major changes in dietary habits due to elective surgery, planned relocation, or other lifestyle alterations during the study period (12 weeks)

About the study

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of consuming two different doses of pulses (1.5 cups/week or 3 cups/week) in individuals with baseline intake below 1.5 cups/week, compared to a control group receiving standard nutrition education based on the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) My Plate guidelines.

The main question the Pulses study aims to answer is:

• What is the effect of increasing pulse consumption (in a dose-response manner) on specific cardiometabolic risk factors, including LDL-C, CRP, HBA1C, and blood pressure compared to standard nutrition education?

For secondary outcomes, this study aims to answer the following:

• Does increased pulse consumption improve the following: overall serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, Triglycerides (TG), diet quality (measured by the Healthy Eating Index), and participants self-reported satisfaction with life (SWLS) and Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWFoL).

All participants will attend biweekly classes and food demonstrations. The pulses groups will learn to prepare various pulse-based recipes, while the control group will receive guidance on preparing healthy meals following the USDA MyPlate recommendations.

What is being tested

• Pulses 1.5 cups Group (behavioral)
• Pulses 3 cups Group (behavioral)
• My Plate Group (Control) (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Arizona · Participants: 180 · Started: Jul 1, 2025

Contact the study team

• Kenneth Wilud, PhD · Phone: 520-626-3718
• Milad Hasankhani · Phone: 5208525064

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06861153

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 3, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.