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Legumes improved glycemic control, reduced CHD risk score
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Previous studies have examined the low-glycemic index value of legumes. Based on new data, patients with type 2 diabetes who consumed about one cup of legumes per day showed improvements in glycemic control and coronary heart disease risk scores.
“The potential for reduction in CHD risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes by a dietary change, such as increased legume consumption, aimed at improving glycemic control is particularly relevant at a time when pharmacologic approaches to achieve improved glycemic control have not resulted in improved cardiovascular outcomes in the short term,” the researchers wrote.
David J.A. Jenkins, MD, of the University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, and colleagues randomly assigned 121 patients with type 2 diabetes to a low-glycemic index legume diet (190 g per day; n=60) or a high wheat fiber diet arm (n=61). Fifty-six completed the legume diet and 58 completed the high wheat fiber diet.
According to data, the mean HbA1c values decreased by –0.5% absolute HbA1c value (95% CI, –0.6 to –0.4) on the legume diet and by –0.3% absolute HbA1c value (95% CI, –0.4 to –0.2) on the high wheat fiber diet.
Additionally, body weight changes were significant in the legume group (–2.7 kg; 95% CI, –3.5 to –1.9) and the high wheat fiber diet (–2 kg; 95% CI, –2.5 to –1.5), researchers wrote.
Moreover, the legume diet resulted in significant decreases in total cholesterol levels (P<.001) and triglyceride levels (P<.001), with no changes to HDL. However, the high wheat fiber group showed a significant increase in HDL (P=.004).
The researchers also found that both groups showed a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate (both P<.001). Regarding CHD risk scores, the researchers wrote that calculated absolute CHD risk was lowered after patients consumed the legume diet, relative to the high wheat fiber diet (–0.8%; 95% CI, –1.4 to 0.3).
In an accompanying editorial, Marion J. Franz, MS, RD, CDE, of Nutrition Concepts by Franz Inc. in Minneapolis, wrote that the role of the low-glycemic index in diabetes nutrition therapy has been controversial.
“Nutrition therapy for diabetes is effective. However, just as there is no one medication or insulin regimen appropriate for all persons with diabetes, there is no one nutritional therapy intervention,” Franz said.
Disclosure:See the study for a full list of financial disclosures.
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