Cardiometabolic Effects of Pecan Snacking in Prediabetes

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 25-65 years * Prediabetes assessed by an HbA1c of 5.7-6.4% at screening * BMI 25-40 kg/m2 at screening * Low habitual nut consumption (\<3.5 oz-eq/week) assessed at the telephone screening * Regularly eats snacks higher in saturated fat and/or added sugars assessed at the telephone screening Exclusion Criteria: * LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL at screening * Hemoglobin \<13.2 g/dL at screening * Fasting triglycerides \>350 mg/dL at screening * ≥10% change in body weight within the 6 months prior to enrollment * Blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg at screening * Type 1 or type 2 diabetes * Prescription of anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, or glucose-lowering drugs * Intake of supplements or over-the-counter medications that affect the outcomes of interest (i.e., lipid, blood pressure, or glucose lowering; vitamin C or multi-vitamins containing vitamin C) and are unwilling to cease during the study period. * History of liver, kidney, or autoimmune disease * Prior cardiovascular event (e.g., stroke, heart attack) * Current pregnancy or intention of pregnancy within the next 12 months * Lactation within the prior 6 months * Pecan allergy/intolerance/sensitivity/dislike * Unwilling/unable to eat 1.5 oz of pecans every day as a snack during the duration of the study * Antibiotic use within the prior 4 weeks * Oral steroid use within the prior 4 weeks * Use of tobacco or nicotine-containing products within the past 6 months * History of cancer at any site within the past 10…