Bean Supplementation Research Articles

Effect of corn grain or lupin bean supplementation on performance of growing steers grazing endophyte-infected fescue and on subsequent finishing period

Effect of corn grain or lupin bean supplementation on performance of growing steers grazing endophyte-infected fescue and on subsequent finishing period

Dietary jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis L.) supplementation enhanced intestinal health by modulating intestinal integrity and immune responses of broiler chickens

This study investigated the influence of supplementing with jack beans on jejunal morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acids production, gene expression both of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and tight junctions. Four treatment groups including 288 Indian River chicks that were one day old were randomized at random. While the treatment groups received jack bean supplementation at levels of 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %, the control group (0 %) was given a basal diet. For 11–35 days, each treatment consisted of 8 pens with 9 birds each. Supplementing with jack beans significantly enhanced butyrate production (P < 0.001), while at 10 % supplementation did not differ from control. Villus height (VH) and the ratio (VH:CD) were significantly (P < 0.001) increased by dietary treatments, while villus width (VW) and crypt depth (CD) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. TLR-3, TNF-a, and IL-6 were all significantly (P < 0.001) increased by dietary supplementation. However, at 15 %, TLR-3 and IL-6 were same with control. IL-18 was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at 15 %. IL-10 decreased significantly (P < 0.001), but at 10 % same with control. At 5 and 10 %, IL-13 increased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas dietary treatments decreased at 15 % compared to control. Although ZO1 decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and OLCN increased significantly (P < 0.001), both ZO1 and OCLN were not significantly different from the control at 15 %. Dietary treatments significantly (P < 0.001) increased CLDN1 but did not differ from the control at 10 %. JAM2 decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with dietary treatments. In conclusion, jack bean supplementation may increase broiler chicken performance and intestinal health due to butyrate production. It may affect intestinal morphology and integrity by upregulating a tight junction protein gene. Jack beans also impacted jejunum immune responses and inflammatory cytokine gene expression.

Development and quality cum nutritional assessment based on physical properties for corn extruded snacks enriched with protein and carbohydrates: A remedy to malnutrition for society

Malnutrition is one of the century's most pressing challenges. If malnutrition is not addressed early, people may suffer from non-communicable diseases. A proper, nutritious diet is necessary to overcome diseases like malnutrition. The technology like extrusion can develop rich fortified food products by retaining high nutrition content. In this study, extrusion technology was used to develop protein and carbohydrate snacks with proper nutrition based on the physical properties of commodities by combining different ratios of corn grits, apple pomace, and mung beans. The objectives of the study focused on the development of a food product based on engineering aspects and the quality cum nutritional evaluation of the finished product that can be used as a diet to combat malnutrition. Physical properties like color, rehydration ratio, porosity, bulk density, water solubility index, texture, sensory evaluation, hardness, and crispiness were studied in detail. The energy content of protein and carbohydrates was measured for nutritional assessment using Food Data Central as a standard, provided by the United States of America Department of Agriculture. Results reveal significant variations among treatments, with the addition of apple pomace impacting bulk density, water solubility index, and color attributes. Mung bean supplementation demonstrates a direct correlation with increased hardness and influences porosity. The rehydration ratio is positively affected by apple pomace. Sensory evaluation underscores the substantial impact on color, texture, crispiness, taste, and overall acceptability, providing valuable insights for snack formulation.

Black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) included in a multi-grain rice reduce total cholesterol and enhance antioxidant capacity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

This study investigated the effects of black bean (BB) supplementation on the growth performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of high-fat diet-induced obese mice. The results demonstrated that although the inclusion of BBs led to increased body weight, total energy intake, and feed efficiency ratio, it did not significantly alter the overall body composition, including adiposity. Notably, BB consumption reduced total cholesterol levels, suggesting its potential to manage dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, BBs significantly enhanced in the total antioxidant capacity, as indicated by the notable increase in both the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity. These findings provide significant insights into the promising health benefits of BBs in the context of metabolic syndrome and related health complications.

Plasma, urine, and stool metabolites in response to dietary rice bran and navy bean supplementation in adults at high-risk for colorectal cancer.

Dietary intake of whole grains and legumes and adequate physical activity (PA) have been associated with reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A single-blinded, two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial was implemented to evaluate the impact of a 12-week dietary intervention of rice bran + navy bean supplementation and PA education on metabolite profiles and the gut microbiome among individuals at high risk of CRC. Adults (n=20) were randomized 1:1 to dietary intervention or control. All participants received PA education at baseline. Sixteen study foods were prepared with either heat-stabilized rice bran + navy bean powder or Fibersol®-2 as a placebo. Intervention participants consumed 30 g rice bran + 30 g navy bean powder daily; those in the control group consumed 10 g placebo daily. Non-targeted metabolite profiling was performed by UPLC-MS/MS to evaluate plasma, urine, and stool at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Stool was also analyzed for primary and secondary bile acids (BAs) and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by UPLC-MS/MS and microbial community structure via 16S amplicon sequencing. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare differences between groups for metabolites, and mixed models were used to compare differences between groups for BAs, SCFAs, and alpha and beta diversity measures of microbial community structure. Across biological matrices, the intervention resulted in changes to several amino acid and lipid metabolites, compared to control. There was a 2.33-fold difference in plasma (p<0.001) and a 3.33-fold difference in urine (p=0.008) for the amino acid S-methylcysteine at 12 weeks. Fold-differences to 4-methoxyphenol sulfate in plasma and urine after 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.001) was a novel result from this combined rice bran and navy bean intervention in people. A 2.98-fold difference in plasma (p=0.002) and a 17.74-fold difference in stool (p=0.026) was observed for the lipid octadecenedioylcarnitine at 12 weeks. For stool BAs, 3-oxocholic acid was increased at 12 weeks compared to control within a subset of individuals (mean difference 16.2 ug/uL, p=0.022). No significant differences were observed between groups for stool SCFAs or microbial community structure. Dietary intake of rice bran + navy beans demonstrates beneficial modulation of host and gut microbial metabolism and represents a practical and affordable means of increasing adherence to national guidelines for CRC control and prevention in a high-risk population.

Effect of supplementation with extract of white bean flour in murine model

Common bean supplementation (Phaseolus vulgaris) "in natura" causes loss of body weight associated with a deficiency in nutrient absorption and histopathological changes. This effect has been attributed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) present in high concentrations in red and white beans. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the safety of white bean flour as a dietary supplement. Animals were treated for 14 days with extract of white bean flour (WBFE) at doses of 2.65g/kg and 5.30g/kg. A significant reduction in body weight was observed, accompanied by the reduction of mean values of glycemia, in both groups in relation to the control group. Significant structural changes were also observed in the intestinal epithelium. Additionally, mice treated with WBFE 5.30g/kg presented mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in the dosage of chemokine MCP-1 and nitric oxide, although without causing intestinal and hepatic oxidative and oxidative damage. The deleterious effects resulting from the use of the WBFE are not permanent since the treated animals after 14 days without WBFE stimuli. In conclusion, commercial bean flour did not prove to be safe as oral dietary supplementation at the dosages used because of the antinutritional and immunomodulatory effects.

Mung Bean Protein Suppresses Undernutrition-Induced Growth Deficits and Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats via Gut Microbiota-TLR4/NF-kB Pathway.

Early undernutrition has been found to be closely associated with subsequent neurodevelopment. However, studies examining crude growth in terms of body weight/tail length cannot clarify how diets might mediate associations between the gut microbiota and cognitive dysfunction. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a 7% protein diet and mung bean protein diet (MBPD) for 6 weeks to assess central nervous system functions. Bifidobacterium longum subsp, Alloprevotella, and Lactobacillus were significantly altered after supplementary MBPD. Additionally, tryptophan, tyrosine, and glycine significantly restored in the brain, and the choline system also improved. Moreover, mung bean supplementation also upregulated expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, postsynaptic density 95 protein (PSD95), synaptosome-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), downregulated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kB (NF-kB). Metabolites in the serum also underwent changes. Together, these results showed that malnutrition perturbed neurodevelopment, while MBPD reversed this trend.

Adzuki Bean Alleviates Obesity and Insulin Resistance Induced by a High-Fat Diet and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Adzuki bean consumption has many health benefits, but its effects on obesity and regulating gut microbiota imbalances induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) have not been thoroughly studied. Mice were fed a low-fat diet, a HFD, and a HFD supplemented with 15% adzuki bean (HFD-AB) for 12 weeks. Adzuki bean supplementation significantly reduced obesity, lipid accumulation, and serum lipid and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels induced by HFD. It also mitigated liver function damage and hepatic steatosis. In particular, adzuki bean supplementation improved glucose homeostasis by increasing insulin sensitivity. In addition, it significantly reversed HFD-induced gut microbiota imbalances. Adzuki bean significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B); enriched the occurrence of Bifidobacterium, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcus_1, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Alloprevotella, Muribaculum, Turicibacter, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Lachnoclostridium; and returned HFD-dependent taxa (Desulfovibrionaceae, Bilophila, Ruminiclostridium_9, Blautia, and Ruminiclostridium) back to normal status. PICRUSt2 analysis showed that the changes in gut microbiota induced by adzuki bean supplementation may be associated with the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, sulfur, and cysteine and methionine; and LPS biosynthesis; and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation.

Comparison of the effects of raw and cooked adzuki bean on glucose/lipid metabolism and liver function in diabetic mice

AbstractBackground and objectivesDiabetes is a serious metabolic disease. The present study investigated the ability of diets supplemented with raw and cooked adzuki bean to mitigate the effects of diabetes and related metabolic disorders in type 2 diabetic mice induced by a high‐fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ).FindingsCompared with untreated diabetic mice, raw adzuki bean (RAB) supplementation significantly reduced food intake, glycated serum protein (GSP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and improved glucose tolerance. Cooked adzuki bean (CAB) supplementation cannot effectively improve FBG, but significantly reduce weight loss and GSP. In addition, adzuki bean supplementation significantly reduced low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. Histological observations confirmed the ability of adzuki bean supplementation to prevent pancreatic and liver damage. The content of total flavonoids and catechins in adzuki bean decreased significantly after processing.ConclusionsAlthough RAB and CAB supplementation showed many beneficial impacts on type 2 diabetic mice, the lower efficacy of CAB is likely caused by a loss of bioactive substances from processing.Significance and noveltyThese findings may contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of adzuki bean as a dietary supplement to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related metabolic disorders.

Navy Bean Supplementation in Established High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Attenuates the Severity of the Obese Inflammatory Phenotype.

Cooked common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) improve intestinal health in lean mice and attenuate intestinal dysbiosis and inflammation when consumed concurrent with obesity development. We determined the effects of a high-fat (HF) bean supplemented diet in mice with established obesity (induced by 12 weeks of HF diet (60% fat as kcal)) compared to obese mice consuming a HF or low-fat (LF) weight loss control diet. Obese C57BL/6 male mice remained consuming HF for eight weeks or were randomly switched from HF to an isocaloric HF with 15.7% cooked navy bean powder diet (HF→HFB) or LF (11% fat as kcal; HF→LF) (n = 12/group). HF→HFB improved the obese phenotype, including (i) fecal microbiome (increased Prevotella, Akkermansia muciniphila, and short-chain fatty acid levels), (ii) intestinal health (increased ZO-1, claudin-2, Muc2, Relmβ, and Reg3γ expression), and (iii) reduced adipose tissue (AT) inflammatory proteins (NFκBp65, STAT3, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-1α), versus HF (p < 0.05). Conversely, HF→LF reduced body weight and circulating hormones (leptin, resistin, and PAI-1) versus HF and HF→HFB (p < 0.05); however, AT inflammation and intestinal health markers were not improved to the same degree as HF→HFB (p < 0.05). Despite remaining on a HF obesogenic diet, introducing beans in established obesity improved the obese phenotype (intestinal health and adipose inflammation) more substantially than weight loss alone.

Effect of bean structure on microbiota utilization of plant nutrients: An in-vitro study using the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®)

Colonic fermentation of resistant starch provides health benefits to the host. However, physical characteristics of the food matrix could limit the availability of starch and other dietary fibres for microbiota utilization. In this study, the influence of food structural aspects was studied by using cotyledon cells from red kidney beans with different levels of cellular integrity. In-vitro colonic fermentation was conducted in the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) where the utilization of starch and other non-starch polysaccharides was investigated along the three colon regions. Results indicate that plant cell integrity modulates nutrient utilization by gut microbiota where higher amounts of starch were delivered to distal regions of the colon in intact samples. Other dietary fibre constituents, such as pectin, were also differentially fermented depending on the level of cellular integrity. Moreover, bean supplementation produced changes in microbiota population favouring the proliferation of Bifidobacterium species.

Effect of Different Pre-Treatments on Antinutrients and Antioxidants of Rice Bean (Vigna umbellata)

Abstract Rice bean (Vigna umbellata) is a legume that belongs to Vigna genus. Native to Indo-Chinese region, it is considered to be an ‘under-utilized’ or ‘orphan’ crop. Rice bean is known to possess high nutritional potential and antioxidant activity. But the use of rice bean supplementation in routine diet is limited despite its high nutritional profile due to the presence of non-nutritional factors. Thus, various pre-treatments like soaking, germination, oven roasting, sand roasting, boiling and pressure cooking at different time and temperature were carried out to reduce the anti-nutritional content of rice bean and to study its effect on antioxidant activity and phytochemical content. All the pre-treatments were able to significantly reduce the anti-nutrient content in rice bean, but germination showed the maximum reduction. Also germinated rice bean showed the maximum antioxidant potential and maximum content of total phenols, total flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids. Rice bean has been underutilized so far, owing to its antinutrient content and low popularity. This experiment attempted to use low cost processing to reduce the content of antinutrients and track the antioxidant content in rice bean. The concluded processing could be adopted for commercial applications for dietary supplementation.

The effect of legume supplementation on the gut microbiota in rural Malawian infants aged 6 to 12 months

Common bean and cowpea contain about 25% protein and 25% fiber, and are recommended as complementary foods in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine if a daily legume supplement given to Malawian infants aged 6 to 12 mo alters the 16S configuration of the fecal microbiota as read out by amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). This study was conducted within the context of a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to assess whether cowpea or common bean supplementation reduced intestinal permeability or increased linear growth. There were 2 village clusters in which the study was conducted. Fresh stool collections were flash frozen from 236 infants at ≤6 time points. The stools were sequenced using Earth Microbiome project protocols and data were processed using Qiime and Qiita, open-source, validated software packages. α-diversity was measured using the Faith's test. The 16S configuration was characterized by determining the weighted UniFrac distances of the ASVs and comparing them using permutational multivariate ANOVA. Among the 1249 samples analyzed, the α-diversity of the fecal microbiome was unchanged among subjects after initiation of legume supplementation. Neither cowpea nor common bean altered the overall 16S configuration at any age. The 16S configuration differed between children with adequate and poor linear growth aged from 6 to 9mo, but no specific ASVs differed in relative abundance. The 16S configuration differed between children with normal and abnormal intestinal permeability at 9mo, but no specific ASVs differed in relative abundance. Among categorical characteristics of the population associated with different 16S configurations, village cluster was most pronounced. Legume supplementation in breastfed, rural African infants did not affect the structure of the gut microbial communities until the children were aged 9mo. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02472262.

Whole mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) supplementation prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity and disorders in a lipid profile and modulates gut microbiota in mice.

Obesity, a strong risk factor for metabolic disorder, has become a major impediment for public health globally. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-obesity effect of mung bean, and the relationship between the gut microbiota modulatory effects of mung bean and the prevention of obesity. Thirty-two four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: normal chow diet (NCD), high-fat diet (HFD), a high-fat diet supplemented with 30% whole mung bean flour (HFD-WMB), and a high-fat diet supplemented with 30% decorticated mung bean flour (HFD-DMB). The ability of a mung bean-based diet to combat obesity-related metabolic disorder was determined by assessing the changes in physiological, histological, biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota composition of mice with HFD-induced obesity at 12weeks. Both of WMB and DMB supplementation can effectively alleviate HFD-induced lipid metabolic disorders, which was accompanied by a reduction in hepatic steatosis. However, the only supplementation with WMB significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain, fat accumulation, and adipocyte size, and ameliorated the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance by sensitizing insulin action. Furthermore, high-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA revealed that WMB and DMB supplementation could normalize HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Especially, WMB and DMB supplementation significantly promoted the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium, respectively, and both of them significantly restored the relative abundance of several HFD-dependent taxa back to normal status in this study. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that those genera are closely correlated with obesity-related indices. Although WMB showed better beneficial effects on HFD-induced obesity in comparison with DMB, DMB still retained some health benefits. Moreover, the alleviation of HFD-induced changes by mung bean supplementation was, at least, partially conciliated by structural modulation of gut microbiota.

Feasibility of Beans/Bran Enriching Nutritional Eating For Intestinal Health & Cancer Including Activity for Longevity: A Pilot Trial to Improve Healthy Lifestyles among Individuals at High Risk for Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose:Examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of a lifestyle intervention of rice bran plus navy bean supplementation, and physical activity (PA) education on intake of fiber and whole grains, and PA levels.Design:Randomized-controlled, single-blinded.Setting:Academic institution and free-living.Subjects:Adults >18 years, with ≥1 adenomatous polyp removed within 3 years.Intervention:Participants received powder and pre-prepared meals and snacks that contained either rice bran (30 g/day) plus navy bean (30 g/day), or Fibersol-2® (10 g/day), for 12-weeks. All participants received a 1-hour (PA) education session.Measures:Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and retention rates, and compliance to the study foods and procedures. Three-day food logs were analyzed using Nutritionist Pro™ to estimate fiber intake, and the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA24®) Dietary Assessment Tool calculated Healthy Eating Index (HEI) whole grain and total scores. PA was measured using an ActivPAL™ accelerometer.Analysis:Continuous data were summarized as median, range, and percent change from baseline to post-intervention.Results:N = 20 (86.9%) completed the intervention. Compliance was 92% in the rice bran plus navy bean versus 89% in Fibersol-2®. Navy bean consumption increased from 2 g/day to 30 g/day, and rice bran from 0 g/day to 30 g/day. Fiber intake (g/day) increased by 73% versus 82%, HEI whole grain improved by 270% versus 37%, and HEI total improved by 10% versus 9.1% in rice bran plus navy bean and Fibersol-2®, respectively. Total PA (MET-hours/day) showed minimal change for intervention (+0.04%) and control (+4%).Conclusion:Findings merit a larger trial of rice bran plus navy bean and PA to evaluate efficacy for dietary and cancer prevention-related outcomes.

Consumption of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) attenuates obesity, ameliorates lipid metabolic disorders and modifies the gut microbiota composition in mice fed a high-fat diet

Abstract Mung bean is shown having several health benefits, but a little bit of knowledge is known about its effects on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity or its relationship with gut microbiota composition changes. Here, it was observed that consumption of HFD supplemented with cooked mung bean (30%, w/w) for 12 weeks effectively alleviated body weight gain and lipid metabolic disorders, which was accompanied by a decrease in hepatic steatosis and adipocyte size. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed that mung bean supplementation prevented the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, which was likely associated with the decreased relative abundance of several HFD-dependent taxa (Ruminiclostridium_9, Mucispirillum, Bilophila, Blautia, Ruminiclostridium, and Odoribacter), and the increased relative abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that those genera were closely correlated with obesity-related indices. Collectively, the prevention of obesity by mung bean supplementation was at least partially mediated by structural modulation of gut microbiota.

Navy bean supplemented high-fat diet improves intestinal health, epithelial barrier integrity and critical aspects of the obese inflammatory phenotype

Obesity is associated with impaired intestinal epithelial barrier function and an altered microbiota community structure, which contribute to host systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Fiber-rich common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) promote intestinal health (microbiota and host epithelial barrier integrity) in lean mice. The objective was to assess the intestinal health promoting effects of navy bean supplementation during high-fat (HF)diet-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat (HF) diet (60% of kcal from fat) or an isocaloric HF diet supplemented with 15.7% (by weight) cooked navy bean powder (HF+B) for 12 weeks. Compared to HF, the HF+B diet altered the fecal microbiota community structure (16S rRNA gene sequencing), most notably increasing abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila (+19-fold), whose abundance typically decreases in obese humans and rodents. Additionally, HF+B fecal abundance of carbohydrate fermenting, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing Prevotella (+332-fold) and S24–7 (+1.6-fold) and fecal SCFA levels were increased. HF+B improved intestinal health and epithelial barrier integrity versus HF, evidenced by reduced serum fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran concentration in an in vivo gut permeability test, and increased intestinal mRNA expression of tight junction components (ZO-1, occludin), anti-microbial defenses (Reg3γ, IgA, Defα5, Defβ2) and mucins (Muc2). Additionally, HF+B improved the systemic obese phenotype via reduced serum HOMA-IR and leptin:adiponectin ratio, and locally via attenuation of epididymal adipose tissue crown-like structure formation, adipocyte size, and inflammatory transcription factor (NFκBp65 and STAT3) activation. Therefore, navy bean supplementation improved obese intestinal health (microbiota and epithelial barrier integrity) and attenuated the severity of the obese phenotype.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of a Proprietary Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor from White Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Weight and Fat Loss in Humans.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of a proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) supplementation interventions in humans on modification of body weight and fat mass. A systematic literature search was performed using three databases: PubMed, the Cochrane collaboration, and Google Scholar. In addition, the manufacturer was contacted for internal unpublished data, and finally, the reference section of relevant original research and review papers were mined for additional studies. Eleven studies were selected for the meta-analysis of weight loss (a total of 573 subjects), and three studies for the meta-analysis of body fat reduction (a total of 110 subjects), as they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Phaseolus vulgaris supplementation showed an average effect on weight loss difference of −1.08 kg (95% CI (confidence interval), −0.42 kg to −1.16 kg, p < 0.00001), and the average effect on body fat reduction was 3.26 kg (95% CI, −2.35 kg to −4.163 kg, p = 0.02). This meta-analysis found statistically significant effects of Phaseolus vulgaris supplementation on body weight and body fat.

Navy and black bean supplementation attenuates colitis-associated inflammation and colonic epithelial damage

The enriched levels of nondigestible fermentable carbohydrates and phenolic compounds found in common beans can exert immunomodulatory effects within the colon that improve gut health and mitigate the severity of colitis-associated inflammatory pathology. Prior to acute colitis onset, C57Bl/6 mice were prefed isocaloric 20% cooked navy bean (NB) or black bean (BB) diets for 3 weeks and switched to control basal diet (BD) 24 h prior to colitis induction via 5-day exposure to dextran sodium sulfate (2% w/v in drinking water)+3 days of fresh water. The severity of the acute colitis phenotype was attenuated by bean prefeeding, evidenced by reduced colon tissue inflammatory transcription factor activation (NFκB, STAT3) and inflammatory mediator levels in the colon (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and MCP-1) and serum (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1) versus BD (P≤.05). Additionally, biomarkers of enhanced wound repair responses were increased by bean prefeeding including colon tissue protein levels of IL-22, IL-27 and activated (i.e., GTP-bound) Cdc42 and Rac1 versus BD (P≤.05). mRNA expressions of genes involved in normal colonic epithelial function and the promotion of epithelial barrier integrity, defense and/or restitution and wound closure including MUC1, RELMβ, IgA and REG3γ were all increased in NB and BB prefed mice versus BD (P≤.05). Collectively, bean supplementation prior to colitis induction (i.e., mimicking disease relapse) primes the colonic microenvironment to attenuate the severity of the colitis inflammatory phenotype and maintain aspects of epithelial barrier function.

Navy and black bean supplementation primes the colonic mucosal microenvironment to improve gut health

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are enriched in non-digestible fermentable carbohydrates and phenolic compounds that can modulate the colonic microenvironment (microbiota and host epithelial barrier) to improve gut health. In a comprehensive assessment of the impact of two commonly consumed bean varieties (differing in levels and types of phenolic compounds) within the colonic microenvironment, C57Bl/6 mice were fed diets supplemented with 20% cooked navy bean (NB) or black bean (BB) flours or an isocaloric basal diet control (BD) for 3 weeks. NB and BB similarly altered the fecal microbiota community structure (16S rRNA sequencing) notably by increasing the abundance of carbohydrate fermenting bacteria such as Prevotella, S24–7 and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, which coincided with enhanced short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production (microbial-derived carbohydrate fermentation products) and colonic expression of the SCFA receptors GPR-41/-43/-109a. Both NB and BB enhanced multiple aspects of mucus and epithelial barrier integrity vs. BD including: (i) goblet cell number, crypt mucus content and mucin mRNA expression, (ii) anti-microbial defenses (Reg3γ), (iii) crypt length and epithelial cell proliferation, (iv) apical junctional complex components (occludin, JAM-A, ZO-1 and E-cadherin) mRNA expression and (v) reduced serum endotoxin concentrations. Interestingly, biomarkers of colon barrier integrity (crypt height, mucus content, cell proliferation and goblet cell number) were enhanced in BB vs. NB-fed mice, suggesting added benefits attributable to unique BB components (e.g., phenolics). Overall, NB and BB improved baseline colonic microenvironment function by altering the microbial community structure and activity and promoting colon barrier integrity and function; effects which may prove beneficial in attenuating gut-associated diseases.