Early Avocado Exposure on Development and the Gut Microbiome in American Hispanic Infants

The overarching goal of this two-arm, randomized clinical trial, is to study how early avocado exposure impacts the gut microbiome and developmental milestones in Hispanic infants. The following aims will be achieved using a randomized, parallel-arm, clinical trial. Specific Aim 1: Evaluate how avocado consumption modulates the infant GM. Hypothesis 1: Daily avocado exposure will produce distinct structural and functional signatures within the GM compared to control. Specific Aim 2: Investigate how avocado consumption affects emerging motor and neurocognitive skills in infants. Hypothesis 2: Daily avocado exposure will improve development compared to the control group. All measures will be completed at participant homes when infants are 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Infants in the intervention arm will receive a daily amount of avocado and the amount consumed will be measured. Those in the control arm will be asked to limit avocado exposure to no more than once per week. Those in the control arm will receive the same quantity of avocados for 6 months to provide to their child once the 6-month intervention period has been completed so that control infants may also benefit from avocado consumption.