Summary:
Controversial evidence surrounds the link between legumes and nuts and metabolic disturbances. This cross-sectional study examined this connection among 527 Iranian adults using dietary assessments and blood samples. After adjusting for variable factors, the results showed that the individuals with the highest legume and nut intake had reduced likelihood of metabolic unhealthiness compared to those with the lowest intake. This effect was more pronounced in normal-weight individuals and women. Increased consumption of legumes and nuts was also associated with lower blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure. In conclusion, this study suggests that higher legume and nut consumption is linked to a reduced risk of poor metabolic health.
Abstract:
There is controversial evidence about the relationship between consumption of legumes and nuts with metabolic disturbances. The present study was undertaken to explore the association of legumes and nuts intake with metabolic health status among Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 527 adults (45.7% female, aged 20–65 years) chosen through a multistage cluster random-sampling approach. Dietary intakes of individuals were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were gathered to evaluate biochemical parameters. Metabolic health status of subjects was determined according to the criteria defined by Wildman. Data of covariates were collected using pre-tested procedures. The overall prevalence of metabolic unhealthy (MU) phenotype was 42.5%. After controlling all confounders, participants with highest intake of legumes and nuts had lower odds of MU status, compared with the lowest intake (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18–0.71). This association was stronger in normal-weight rather than overweight/obese adults and also in women rather than men. Higher consumption of legumes and nuts was additionally related to decreased odds of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. A marginally inverse association was observed between legumes and nuts intake with low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, in fully-adjusted model (ORT3 vs. T1 0.50; 95% CI 0.25–1.01). Each tertile increase in legumes and nuts intake was marginally related to higher adropin levels (𝛽= 4.06; P = 0.07). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that higher intake of legumes and nuts is associated with lower chance of MU both in normal weight and overweight/obese adults. The association may be facilitated through serum BDNF and adropin.
Article Publication Date: 30/09/2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43855-8
