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Yanni AE, Iakovidi S, Vasilikopoulou E, Karathanos VT. Legumes: A Vehicle for Transition to Sustainability. Nutrients 2023; 16:98. [PMID: 38201928 PMCID: PMC10780344 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Legumes are an excellent source of protein and have been used in the human diet for centuries. Consumption of legumes has been linked to several health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer, while legumes' high fiber content promotes digestive health. Aside from the positive health benefits, one of the most significant advantages of legumes is the low environmental footprint of their cultivation. They can be grown in a variety of climates and soil types, and they require less water and fertilizer than other crops, making them a sustainable option for farmers. Thanks to their nutritional and physicochemical properties, they are widely used by the food industry since the growing popularity of plant-based diets and the increasing demand for alternatives to meat offers the opportunity to develop legume-based meat substitutes. As the use of legumes as a source of protein becomes widespread, new market opportunities could be created for farmers and food industries, while the reduction in healthcare costs could have a potential economic impact. Achieving widespread adoption of legumes as a sustainable source of protein requires coordinated efforts by individuals, governments, and the private sector. The objective of this narrative review is to present the benefits coming from legume consumption in terms of health and environmental sustainability, and underline the importance of promoting their inclusion in the daily dietary pattern as well as their use as functional ingredients and plant-based alternatives to animal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia E. Yanni
- Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry-Physical Chemistry of Foods, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave, 176-71 Athens, Greece; (S.I.); (E.V.); (V.T.K.)
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Assi MJ, Poursalehi D, Tirani SA, Shahdadian F, Hajhashemy Z, Mokhtari E, Mohammadi S, Saneei P. Legumes and nuts intake in relation to metabolic health status, serum brain derived neurotrophic factor and adropin levels in adults. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16455. [PMID: 37777675 PMCID: PMC10542386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43855-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is controversial evidence about the relationship between consumption of legumes and nuts with metabolic disturbances. The present study was undertaken to explore the association of legumes and nuts intake with metabolic health status among Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 527 adults (45.7% female, aged 20-65 years) chosen through a multistage cluster random-sampling approach. Dietary intakes of individuals were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were gathered to evaluate biochemical parameters. Metabolic health status of subjects was determined according to the criteria defined by Wildman. Data of covariates were collected using pre-tested procedures. The overall prevalence of metabolic unhealthy (MU) phenotype was 42.5%. After controlling all confounders, participants with highest intake of legumes and nuts had lower odds of MU status, compared with the lowest intake (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18-0.71). This association was stronger in normal-weight rather than overweight/obese adults and also in women rather than men. Higher consumption of legumes and nuts was additionally related to decreased odds of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. A marginally inverse association was observed between legumes and nuts intake with low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, in fully-adjusted model (ORT3 vs. T1 0.50; 95% CI 0.25-1.01). Each tertile increase in legumes and nuts intake was marginally related to higher adropin levels ([Formula: see text] = 4.06; P = 0.07). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that higher intake of legumes and nuts is associated with lower chance of MU both in normal weight and overweight/obese adults. The association may be facilitated through serum BDNF and adropin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javad Assi
- Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Donya Poursalehi
- Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Amani Tirani
- Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farnaz Shahdadian
- Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Hajhashemy
- Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Elahe Mokhtari
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sobhan Mohammadi
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parvane Saneei
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81745-151, Isfahan, Iran.
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