Abstract
BackgroundLegumes are nutrient-dense foods and can be an environmentally sustainable alternative to meat consumption. Data on legume intake are scarce and data on legume consumption in Sweden are lacking. This study investigated dietary intake and dietary patterns, together with iron, vitamin D, and folate status, in relation to legume consumption in Sweden.MethodsCross-sectional dietary and biomarker data (n 1760) from the 2011 Riksmaten national survey were analyzed. All legume foods (including soy) were identified from 4-day dietary records and ferritin, folate, and vitamin D status in a subgroup (n 280). Participants were classified into non-consumers and quartiles of legume intake. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to uncover dietary patterns associated with legume intake. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression was used to identify variables associated with variations in legume consumption.ResultsLegumes were consumed by 44% of the population, with mean (SD) intake of 138 (84) g/d in the highest and 11 (5) g/d in the lowest quartiles. Among consumers, 6% reported being vegetarian, compared with 0.9% among non-consumers. Legume consumers drank less alcohol, but had higher intakes of energy, dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, and several minerals, and more often met recommended intake levels for folate and fiber, critical nutrients in Sweden. Biomarker status did not differ with legume intake. PCA revealed multiple loadings on legumes that generally reflected healthier eating habits for legume-consuming women. PLS revealed that vegetarianism was most influential for high legume intake. Other influential variables were high fruit, tea, nut, and seed intakes. High intake of meat, sodas, fast foods, and sweet foods, together with omnivorism, were influential for low legume intake. The associations were similar for men and women.ConclusionsThis study supports dietary recommendations on inclusion of legumes in a healthy diet. Greater focus on assessment of legume intake is necessary to explore the population-wide health effects of legumes as sustainable meat alternatives, and to reinforce national nutritional guidelines.
Highlights
Legumes are nutrient-dense foods and can be an environmentally sustainable alternative to meat consumption
Legume consumption has been shown to lower serum total and LDL cholesterol [4, 5]. It is often associated with a lower risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) [6, 7], a recent study [8] reported that higher legume intake is associated with increased risk of CVD mortality, but lower cancer risk, in older high-risk subjects
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed separately for men and women, as dietary patterns have been shown to differ between sexes in this particular dataset [21]
Summary
Legumes are nutrient-dense foods and can be an environmentally sustainable alternative to meat consumption. This study investigated dietary intake and dietary patterns, together with iron, vitamin D, and folate status, in relation to legume consumption in Sweden. Leguminosae or legumes, such as fresh and dry beans and peas, lentils, peanuts, soybeans, and lupins, have been cultivated for thousands of years and are part of many traditional diets [1]. Pulses are a sub-type of legumes, defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as exclusively harvested for the dry grain ( sometimes referred to as ‘grain legumes’) Fatty legumes such as peanuts are harvested for their oil content and ‘fresh’ legumes, such as green beans, are consumed fresh. Mainly acquired through beans and lentils, has been found to be negatively associated with excess body weight [9], and potential chemoprotective effects of legumes, on the colon, have been suggested [10, 11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
