The Effect of Five Servings a Week of Pulses for Eight Weeks on Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight Human Subject

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of consuming for 8 weeks a diet rich in pulses (beans, lentils, chickpeas and yellow peas) with a conventional energy restriction diet on risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. Overweight/obese adults (n = 44) with BMI of 27‐40 kg/m2 were randomized to a treatment of 5 cups/week of pulses or to a diet restriction of 500 kcal/day. Blood glucose and insulin were measured over 120 min after a 75g glucose load. Both diets resulted in reduction (p<0.05) of body weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c and glucose area under the curve (AUC). Only the energy‐restricted diet reduced diastolic blood pressure. The effect of diet on insulin AUC was influenced by sex. Insulin decreased in both males and females on the energy‐restricted diet, while it was decreased in females and increased in males following the pulse diet (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant change in TC, TG, LDL, HDL or C‐reactive protein. In conclusion, the incorporation of 5 cups/week of pulses into the diet, with no other dietary guidance, had the same beneficial effect on risk factors for the metabolic syndrome as dietary counseling to reduce energy intake. Supported by Pulse Canada.