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Recent Review of Pulse Intake and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

.” This review of recent studies aims to add to the body of research to show evidence for dietary guidelines that emphasize pulses in the diet for better health and decreased risk of cardiovascular health problems.

One of the greatest risks for cardiovascular disease is abnormal concentrations of blood lipids, or high cholesterol levels. Pharmaceutical intervention has had an impact; however, “major health organizations have maintained that the initial and essential approach to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease is to modify dietary and lifestyle patterns.” This review of recent studies aims to add to the body of research to show evidence for dietary guidelines that emphasize pulses in the diet for better health and decreased risk of cardiovascular health problems.

Some studies used pulse flours, some the whole food pulses, and the remainder used a combination. There were some gastrointestinal symptoms, such as upset stomach, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea and constipation, and increased stool frequency. Most of the studies showed that these temporary discomforts were improved with continued intake of pulses. Together, these studies suggest that there is a reduction in LDL cholesterol with about a serving (½ cup) a day intake. This could be a challenge for some populations such as the United States where the median intake is 0.2 servings a day. But with all the health benefits, including effects on other cardiometabolic risk factors such as body weight, blood pressure, and glucose control, we should make more of an effort to include pulses in our diet every day.

Ha V, Sievenpiper JL, de Souza RJ, Jayalath VH, Mirrahimi A, Agarwal A, et al. Effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Can Med Assoc J 2014;186(8):E252-E262.

 

Summarized by the NDSU Extension Service.

Development of many of the materials on this website was made possible, in part, with funding from the Northern Pulse Growers Association.

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