Study Candidates Sought On Health Effects Of Fruit, Nut Bars

DERBY — The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center has received a grant from PeaceWorks Holdings, LLC to study the effects of eating fruit and nut snack bars on weight and blood pressure, two risk factors for many chronic diseases.

An initial pilot study conducted at the Prevention Research Center with ten people last year found that participants lost weight and lowered their blood pressure slightly after eating these bars daily for eight weeks. The goal of the new study is to investigate these findings further in a larger group.

The reason for the observed declines in weight and blood pressure is unclear, but Dr David L. Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and principal investigator of the study, speculates that “snacks such as the Kind bars, which are made with nutritious ingredients, may take the place of less healthful snacks in the diet, thus leading to weight loss.”

He explained, “Snacking can add calories to the diet, and cause weight gain, but snacking on wholesome foods can help control appetite and weight, while providing excellent nutrition — and displacing less filling foods that contribute empty calories. Kind bars are just that kind of snack food, made principally of nuts and fruits.

“We were gratified to see preliminary data support the hypothesis that such bars may offer health benefits when consumed routinely,” Dr Katz continued. “We are now eager to conduct an expanded study and generate more definitive results.” 

Kind Snacks are a brand of all-natural snacks produced by PeaceWorks Holdings, a company which donates a minimum of five percent of all profits to the PeaceWorks Foundation, which aims to empower communities seeking to end conflict and violence. More information about the company and its products can be found at www.kindsnacks.com.

Anyone interested in participating in this study or would like more information, can contact Kim at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at 732-1265, extension 305, or kim.doughty@yalegriffinprc.org. In addition to receiving free health screenings, including blood work and blood pressure testing, study participants will be reimbursed for their involvement.