The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) consumption on plasma melatonin, antioxidant capacity, and circadian rhythms in overweight young adults. The main question it aims to answer are: * Can the consumption of pistachios, specifically their content of compounds like phyto-melatonin, effectively regulate the human biological clock and circadian rhythms?
This study will provide scientific evidence supporting the biological clock-regulating action of compounds present in pistachios, such as phyto-melatonin, their impact on circadian rhythm regulation, and improvement of metabolic processes altered during obesity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
28
Participants consumed 28 g (equivalent to 5.6 mg of phyto-melatonin) of pistachios each day, specifically 40 pistachios with shells, 1 hour to 30 minutes before bedtime
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Querétaro City, Querétaro, Mexico
Body composition analysis
Body composition analysis (BCA, including fat mass \[FM\] and fat-free mass \[FFM\], in kg and %) was performed with a seca mBCA 514/515 medical Body Composition Analyzer (Allers Hamburg, Germany). The measurements were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Waist circumference
Waist circumference (WC, in cm) was measured using an ergonomic SECA 201 measuring tape.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Plasma melatonin
Plasma obtained from the same samples of biochemicals determinations. Plasma melatonin levels were measured before and after the intervention using a commercial plasma melatonin kit.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Circadian locomotor activity
A temperature sensor on the wirst, an activity and body position sensor was placed on the participant's arm and a luxometer was worn on the neck with a pendant over the clothing.
Time frame: Through study completion during 28-days.
Questionnaire of activity during the day
Horne and Östberg morning- evening test. Visual Analog Score with a cumulative score scale
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)
Measured with the scale MET-minutes per week" (o MET-min/week)
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Cumulative score scale by Gobal PSQI score
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
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Concentration of metabolic and lipid parameters
Metabolic parameters, including glucose (mg/dL), cholesterol (HDL-c and LDL-c, mg/dL), and triglycerides (mg/dL).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Plasma antioxidant activity by FRAP method
The antioxidant activity in deproteinized plasma was assessed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Plasma antioxidant activity was measured as milimol equivalent of Trolox/mL.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks
Plasma antioxidant activity by ORAC assay.
The antioxidant activity in deproteinized plasma was assessed using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method."
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks