Chapter 18 - Cluster beans

Abstract

Cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are an annual legume crop in tropical countries, and are a provider of rich amounts of soluble dietary fiber, present as guar gum. Guar gum is a galactomannan derived from the ground endosperm of cluster beans. Due to its hydrophilic gel-forming properties, guar gum finds many uses in the food industry. Guar gum is of great interest in regard to weight management and diabetes management. Beneficial influences of dietary tender cluster beans in high-cholesterol-fed and high-fat-fed situations on fat disposition and weight management have been systematically studied. Prevention of cholesterol gallstones under lithogenic condition and cardioprotective influence under atherogenic condition are the implications of the beneficial modulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Modulation of whole-body cholesterol metabolism in response to dietary fiber-rich cluster beans consumption, including intestinal cholesterol absorption and fecal sterol and bile acid loss, has been the subject of many reports. Slow release of postprandial glucose, thus increasing the glucose tolerance, is a characteristic health beneficial attribute of soluble fiber component guar gum or the tender cluster beans. The protective effect of dietary soluble fiber-rich tender cluster beans on the gastrointestinal tract has been documented.