## 3 Results
### Health Benefits
#### 3.2.6 Other Health Effects  
In recent years, enough evidence has accumulated to show a close relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome (e.g., obesity). The findings of [PERSON] et al. have shown that different types of beans, especially black beans, improve gut health by the mechanism described in Figure 3[106]. This can help prevent gut-associated diseases [107]. They also support the function of the immune system and can promote weight loss [108]. The results show that feeding beans [109] and mung beans [110] to mice alters the colonic microenvironment (microbiota and host epithelial barrier) and reduces the risk of obesity by increasing _Akkermansia muciniphila_[109]. Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet influenced the gut microbiota diversity in adult volunteers who adhered more strictly to this eating pattern compared to those with lower adherence. Specifically, the _Butyricimonas_, _Desulfovibrio_, and _Oscillospira_ genera were more commonly associated with a BMI of less than 25 [111]. The potential mechanism of bean bioactive compounds on gut microbiota and obesity has been studied by [PERSON] et al. [112] and by [PERSON] et al. [113] (Figure 3), but [PERSON] et al. (2021) described gut microbiome impact on overall health [114].  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt}} \hline \hline
**Author/(Year)** & **Study** & **Age Group** & **Participants** & **Conclusions** \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2019)[86] & Randomized crossover clinical trial & 58.1 \(\pm\) 6 years old & 24 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus & Beans consumption increases adiponectin concentrations among type 2 diabetic patients \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2018)[90] & Randomized controlled trial. & 18–35 years old & 95 women with polycystic ovary syndrome & Beans consumption seems to minimize cardio-metabolic disease risk factors \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2018)[93] & Randomized controlled trial & 30–60 years old & 120 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus & Lower steep increase in postprandial insulin levels and minimizing inflammation \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2019)[96] & Cross-sectional Study & 30- \(\geq\) 60 years old & 138 non-alcoholic fatty liver patients & A higher intake of beans is associated with lower NAFLD, serum cholesterol, and blood pressure \\ \hline [PERSON] (2023)[99] & National Health and Nutritional Examination study (2001–2018) & \(\geq\)19 years old & 44.184 adults & Beans consumption may offer improvements in weight-related measures (BMI, body weight, waist circumstances) and minimize abdominal obesity \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2016)[102] & Randomized controlled trial & 45–74 years old & 47 overweight and obese pre-diabetic patients & A regular-fiber diet affects glycemic control \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2023)[103] & National Health and Nutritional Examination study (2011–2018) & 22.5–66 years old & 15,185 adults & Beans consumption impacts on less weight gain and abdominal obesity \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2020)[104] & Randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial & 18–65 years old & 120 obese adults & Beans extracts consumption impacts on weight loss in a short time period \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. (2014)[105] & Randomized controlled trial & 18–60 years old & 172 adults & Helps maintain a healthy body weight \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 5: _Cont._