News & Emerging Research about Beans and Health
Association of dietary patterns with cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer.
Meyerhardt JA, Niedzwieki D, Hollis D et al.–2007. Journal of the American Medical Association 298: 754-764
This observational research in approximately 1,000 adults
from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA
examined the relationship of dietary patterns with cancer
recurrences and mortality of colon cancer survivors. For
the purpose of this work, two major dietary patterns were
identified: a prudent and a Western diet. The prudent
dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of fruits
and vegetables, poultry, and fish, while the Western pattern
was characterized by greater intakes of meat, fat, refined
grains, and desserts. Results showed that greater intake
of a Western dietary pattern after cancer diagnosis was
associated with a significantly worse health outcome (i.e.,
colon cancer recurrences or death). The investigators
concluded that “higher intake of a Western dietary pattern
may be associated with a higher risk of recurrence and
mortality among patients with stage III colon cancer.”
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
While a cause and effect
cannot be established from this work due to the
study design, an important association remains
evident—following a typical Western-style dietary
pattern can be harmful in individuals who have
previously been diagnosed with colon cancer, not to mention the associations that
may be present in presently healthy adults. What still is not evident from this
work however, is which component of the diet is harmful? Is it one particular food
and/or nutrient or a combination of foods/nutrients?
A guess would be that we need studies to focus on the latter, since as individuals,
we do not only eat one food, but rather a variety of foods.
Low-glycemic index
or low-glycemic load
diets for overweight
and obesity.
Thomas DE, Elliott E, and Baur
L.– 2007. Cochrane Database
Systematic Reviews 18(3):
CD005105
While obesity prevalence is continually increasing, the scientific evidence remains
uncertain as to the exact causality. It has been hypothesized that consuming low-glycemic
index or low-glycemic load diets may produce greater weight loss in comparison to diets
with a higher glycemic index or glycemic load. This systematic review examined the effects
of low-glycemic index or low-glycemic load diet on weight loss in overweight or obese
people. Studies that were considered in the systematic review included only randomized
controlled trials comparing a low-glycemic index or low-glycemic load diet (LGI) with a
higher glycemic index or high-glycemic load diet or any other diet (Cdiet) in overweight
or obese people. Six studies were eligible for the analysis with a total of 202 participants.
Subjects who consumed LGI diets had significantly lower body masses (-1.1 kg), decreased
total fat mass and reduced body mass indexes relative to the Cdiet group. In addition, those
on the LGI diet had a significantly greater reduction in total cholesterol in comparison to the
Cdiets
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
These findings demonstrate that overweight or obese
people following a low-glycemic index or low-glycemic load diet lost more weight
and had more improvement in lipid profiles than those receiving other diets.
Legumes, as a whole, have some of the lowest glycemic index values. Future
marketing and communication strategies need to tap into this attribute as signs
are apparent that consumers have an increased understanding of the glycemic
index (Refer to “Whats New with the Glycemic Index?” on page 7).
Bean consumption
is associated with
greater nutrient
intake, reduced
systolic blood
pressure, lower
body weight, and
a smaller waist
circumference in
adults: Results
from the National
Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey
1999-2002
Papanikolaou Y and Fulgoni
VL.–2007. Journal of the
American College of Nutrition,
in press
Epidemiological studies have shown relationships between legume consumption and
measures of cardiovascular disease and obesity. However, few observational trials have
examined beans as a separate food variable when determining associations with health
parameters. The researchers examined associations between consuming beans, and
nutrient intakes and physiological parameters. Using data from NHANES 1999-2002, a
secondary analysis was completed of a reliable 24-hour dietary recall where three groups
of bean consumers were identified (N=1,475). The researchers determined mean nutrient
intakes and physiological values between bean consumers and non-consumers. Relative to
non-consumers, bean consumers had higher intakes of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium,
iron, and copper. Those consuming beans had a lower body weight and a smaller waist size
relative to non-consumers. Additionally, consumers of beans had a 23 percent reduced
risk of increased waist size and a 22 percent reduced risk of being obese. Baked bean
consumption was associated with a lower systolic blood pressure.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Data from this observational study clearly show that
bean consumers have better overall intake of several key nutrients, lower body
weights and smaller waist circumferences, in addition to lower systolic blood
pressure in comparison to non-consumers of beans. This evidence supports the
benefits of bean consumption on nutrient intake, obesity prevention and on blood
pressure. Since this is observational research, it needs to be followed up with a
well-designed controlled clinical trial that examines the impact of long-term bean
consumption on various health variables.