Project Description:

Chronic diseases related to poor dietary intake are increasing in the United States. Recently, the American Heart Association described the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome as a condition triggered by dysfunctional adipose tissue progressing to other metabolic diseases, including diabetes, high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease. As CKM progresses, there is also the risk of cardiovascular disease, mortality, and poor quality of life. Therefore, interventions to limit the advancement of CKM are needed. Hispanic/Latine are the largest minority group in the United States and the second largest in Indiana, and this ethnic group has an increased risk of CKM syndrome.

Dietary interventions by improving dietary patterns are foundational in preventing and managing CKM, and research suggests that treatment adherence increases with culturally tailored interventions. The Dieta de la Milpa is a healthy dietary pattern recently described for people from Mexico and Central America that highlights the consumption of four staples: corn, beans, pumpkins/squashes, and chilies, complemented with other plant-based foods and animal-based foods. The four staple foods are high in dietary fiber, bioactive compounds, and polyphenols that may improve CKM health.

The objective of this study is to test a snack inspired by the Dieta de la Milpa with corn, beans, and pumpkin seeds on sensory perception and the short-term impacts on CKM biomarkers and the gut microbiome in Hispanic/Latine individuals from the Greater Lafayette area at risk of CKM syndrome. The undergraduate student will likely be involved in both portions of the study (sensory and pilot clinical trial) and will get exposure to specimen processing and quantifying microbial metabolites in blood and urine, among other methods.

Requirements:

Ideally, a junior/senior undergraduate student in nutrition/dietetics or similar fields.