Can legumes improve heart health?

Diversifying your diet is one of the pillars of a healthy lifestyle. In France, the National Health Nutrition Program (PNNS) recommends increasing the proportion of fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts in our diet. According to a study published in Advances in Nutritionthe consumption of beans, lentils, peas and other legumes would reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.

The researchers reviewed prospective cohort studies that assessed pulse consumption for the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and related markers. They were based on several criteria: the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease (which includes coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and heart attack), diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

How beneficial are legumes to health?

The study found that those who consumed the most legumes reduced incidence rates of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and hypertension by up to 10% compared to those who consumed the least.

According to the authors, beans and other legumes are beneficial for cardiovascular health thanks to their high fiber, vegetable protein and micronutrient content, as well as their low fat, cholesterol and low glycemic index. .

“Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading and costliest cause of death, costing the United States nearly $1 billion a day,” says Hana Kahleova, study co-author and director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. This study shows that an inexpensive, accessible and common food staple could help change that: beans. The simple act of adding beans to our plates could be a powerful tool in fighting heart disease and lowering blood pressure.”

Today, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world and the second in France just after cancer, and are thought to be the cause of 140,000 deaths per year. according to the Ministry of Health. At the same age, the mortality rate of men from cardiovascular disease is much higher than that of women (300 against 190 per 100,000 people in 2010).