Treatment effects on apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol were not observed .
INTERPRETATION Our findings suggest that dietary pulse intake significantly reduces LDL cholesterol levels .
BACKGROUND Evidence from controlled trials encourages the intake of dietary pulses ( beans , chickpeas , lentils and peas ) as a method of improving dyslipidemia , but heart health guidelines have stopped short of ascribing specific benefits to this type of intervention or have grade d the beneficial evidence as low .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to assess the effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction .
A High Legume Low Glycemic Index Diet Improves Serum Lipid Profiles in Men
Clinical studies have shown that fiber consumption facilitates weight loss and improves lipid profiles ; however , the beneficial effects of high fermentable fiber low glycemic index ( GI ) diets under conditions of weight maintenance are unclear . In the Legume Inflammation Feeding Experiment , a r and omized controlled cross-over feeding study , 64 middle-aged men who had undergone colonoscopies within the previous 2 years received both a healthy American ( HA ) diet ( no legume consumption , fiber consumption = 9 g/1,000 kcal , and GI = 69 ) and a legume enriched ( 1.5 servings/1,000 kcal ) , high fiber ( 21 g/1,000 kcal ) , low GI ( GI = 38 ) diet ( LG ) in r and om order . Diets were isocaloric and controlled for macronutrients including saturated fat ; they were consumed each for 4 weeks with a 2–4 week break separating dietary treatments . Compared to the HA diet , the LG diet led to greater declines in both fasting serum total cholesterol ( TC ) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 , respectively ) . Insulin-resistant ( IR ) subjects had greater reductions in high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ; P < 0.01 ) , and triglycerides (TAG)/HDL-C ( P = 0.02 ) after the LG diet , compared to the HA diet . Insulin-sensitive ( IS ) subjects had greater reductions in TC ( P < 0.001 ) , LDL-C ( P < 0.01 ) , TC/HDL-C ( P < 0.01 ) , and LDL-C/HDL-C ( P = 0.02 ) after the LG diet , compared to the HA diet . In conclusion , a high legume , high fiber , low GI diet  improves serum lipid profiles in men , compared to a healthy American diet . However , IR individuals do not achieve the full benefits of the same diet on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) lipid risk factors
Treatment effects on apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol were not observed .
INTERPRETATION Our findings suggest that dietary pulse intake significantly reduces LDL cholesterol levels .
BACKGROUND Evidence from controlled trials encourages the intake of dietary pulses ( beans , chickpeas , lentils and peas ) as a method of improving dyslipidemia , but heart health guidelines have stopped short of ascribing specific benefits to this type of intervention or have grade d the beneficial evidence as low .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to assess the effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction .