Health-related Benefits of Introducing Table Olives Into the Diet of Young Adults: Olives For Health

This randomized clinical trial will intend to show compared to standard nutrition, nutrition that includes the daily consumption of 6 olives for 5 weeks will lead to a 4.5% decrease in the mean change (from baseline) in LDL. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether daily consumption of olives leads to clinically meaningful changes in metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers among adults 18-23 years old. The primary outcome is change in mean LDL. The secondary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of daily consumption of olives on other biomarkers (HDL, LDL/HDL, HbA1c, CRP).

First, second- and third-year students (usually 18-23 years old) residing in the selected colleges will be informed about the study and following consent will be enrolled in the study if they meet the eligibility criteria. Prior to initiation of the project, the study team will present the study to the college student body over a series of presentations to be arranged with the assistance of the college leadership (Dean and Head of College). There has not been a lot of studies among young adults, who might not be at elevated risk for conditions related to nutrition. It is important to assess whether introduction of a food item that has shown benefit in other populations, would afford the same or higher benefit among this age group. Further, if the evidence generated from this study points to significant benefit, it might lead to changes in nutrition paradigms, both in the setting of college dining and/or outside, to incorporate olives.

A total of 226 participants will be enrolled, 113 in each of the two arms of the study. Study participants assigned to the intervention will consume 6 organic olives daily (individually packaged), provided at dinner times by Yale Dining Services. Assessment of receipt of the daily olives will be done at the time a participant wipes his/her card upon entry to the Dining facility at their college.

Selection of the residential colleges will be made following consultation and solicitation with the Heads of Yale Colleges, Dean of Yale College, and Yale Hospitality. Following identification of the Yale Colleges, several presentations to the college's student body will be made, to introduce and explain the project, and answer questions, expected to take place January-February 2021. Following such sessions, an email with the link to the study screening tool will be sent to the students by the college's administration. Interested students will be asked to complete a screening survey. Screening will also be available and accessible until the end of the study enrollment phase (February 11, 2022). At the beginning of the Spring 2022 semester, all students who have screened and are deemed eligible will be consented during the enrollment phase (February 7-11, 2022). Study personnel will be stationed outside the dining hall of the college during dinner hours, to e-consent the study participants using study iPads. Following consent, study personnel will collect the baseline and 5 week blood specimens from the study participant. At the end of the project, this data will be sent via secure data processes to the REDCap project location. Even though not anticipated given the nature of the intervention, adverse event (AEs) will be defined and collected as per standard definitions and severity assessment.