Legume Consumption and Cardiometabolic Health
Summary
Legumes, encompassing beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas, are nutrient-dense foods rich in plant protein, dietary fibre, micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Regular consumption has been associated with favourable effects on blood lipids, blood pressure, glucose regulation and body weight management. Mechanistically, legume components may improve insulin sensitivity, attenuate postprandial glycaemia, promote beneficial shifts in gut microbiota and reduce low-grade inflammation. Population studies indicate that integrating legumes into dietary patterns can lower the incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Beyond individual health, legume cultivation contributes to soil health and sustainable agriculture, reinforcing its global significance in dietary guidelines and public health strategies.
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Legume Consumption and Cardiometabolic Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in legume consumption and cardiometabolic health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cardiometabolic health: The integrated function of cardiovascular and metabolic systems, reflecting risk factors such as blood pressure, lipid profile and glucose metabolism.
Pulses: The edible dry seeds of legume plants, including beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas, valued for protein, fibre and micronutrients.
Metabolite signature: A specific combination of small-molecule metabolites in biological samples that reflects dietary intake or physiological status.
Glycaemic index: A classification of carbohydrate-containing foods based on their postprandial blood glucose response compared to a reference.
Low-grade inflammation: A chronic, systemic inflammatory state marked by mildly elevated circulating biomarkers linked to increased cardiometabolic risk.
References
- Plasma metabolite profile of legume consumption and future risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular Diabetology (2024).
- Pulse crops: nutrient density, affordability, and environmental impact. Frontiers in Nutrition (2024).
- Benefits of pulse consumption on metabolism and health: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2020).
- Associations between Dietary Pulses Alone or with Other Legumes and Cardiometabolic Disease Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Advances in Nutrition (2019).
- Legumes: A Vehicle for Transition to Sustainability. Nutrients (2023).
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