An unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for chronic disease, responsible for more than two-thirds of deaths globally. Adequate nutrition can reduce risk factors. However, the general trend of poor diet is increasing the incidence of chronic diseases, with a number of associated negative social and economic impacts. Astonishingly, chronic disease treatment alone cost US$1.1 trillion in 2016 or about 6 percent of gross domestic product.
It is important that primary prevention is a cost-effective and sustainable approach to reducing the burden of chronic disease. Meeting nutrient recommendations without consuming too many calories requires prioritizing nutrient-dense foods. Beans are a good example of this food. They are rich in plant-based protein and micronutrients such as potassium, low in natural fat, and one of the richest sources of dietary fiber, an underutilized dietary component of public health concern.
Additionally, they have a wide range of uses in the kitchen, are inexpensive, contribute significantly to sustainable food systems, have been grown all over the world and used in a variety of cuisines for thousands of years, and are generally available. This makes the everyday inclusion of natural pulses in dietary patterns seem like a crucial and doable lifestyle habit to promote public health, especially in light of consumers\' general knowledge of pulses as a nutritious food.
According to the available data, boosting the public\'s consumption of pulses could be a useful and affordable strategy for halting the obesity epidemic and preventing a wide range of chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many cancers. However, consumption of pulses is surprisingly low, especially in industrialized countries, despite the enormous savings on annual health care and a host of health benefits that regular pulses could offer.
As an illustration, the typical American adult consumes less than 1 cup of the food group beans, peas, and lentils per week. This insignificant consumption is associated with perceived obstacles, such as ignorance of how to prepare pulses and consistently incorporate them into eating habits, lengthy cooking periods, and worries about flatulence and anti-nutrients such as lectins and phytates. We must use a translational strategy to change these unfavorable attitudes in order to make use of the many advantages of pulses. In order to establish unambiguous messaging about the recommended serving size of pulses that is most helpful for public health, it is crucial that we conduct solid research to reduce ambiguity in the scientific literature.
In order to enhance the case that pulses are a tool for public health, the major goals of this review article are to study the scientific literature on the possible impact of pulses on human health and to identify any gaps in the evidence.
Healthful Dietary Components of Pulses
Pulses are a very nutrient-dense food that is high in protein, dietary fiber, and a number of vitamins and bioactive substances. Due to their distinctive nutritional composition, they play a significant role in a variety of dietary patterns, including plant-based, DASH, and Mediterranean diets. Many of the advantages of pulses are linked to their high fiber content, which also happens to be one of the richest natural sources of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
Increased dietary fiber consumption can make you feel fuller and is linked to many beneficial health outcomes, such as lower risks for a number of chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. However, the general population severely consumes fiber, creating a fiber gap. The average American\'s real fiber consumption is just around half of what the dietary recommendations call for. Prioritizing nutrient-rich, complete meals like pulses is crucial to boost fiber without ingesting excessive amounts of calories.
Comparing 100-calorie portions of different meals will help you identify which ones are more nutrient-dense and could help you satisfy your dietary needs without going over your energy budget. Pulses contain two to three times more fiber than even whole grains, despite the fact that switching from refined to whole grains is commonly encouraged to boost fiber intake. When compared to refined grains, this difference is obviously more pronounced. Pulses also have significantly lower levels of fat and noticeably higher levels of fiber when compared to other varieties of legumes.
The high protein content of pulses is another dietary element that can help with satiety and weight control. Because most other plant meals do not offer a rich supply of both fiber and protein, and because animal sources of protein do not contain fiber, pulses are special because of their roughly one-to-one ratio of fiber and protein.
Chronic Disease Mitigation
Pulses and obesity and overweight
Over 1.9 billion adults—or 39% of the adult population worldwide—are overweight, and pediatric obesity rates are steadily rising. A significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, CVD, and at least 17 different cancers is an elevated body mass index. Because energy intake and expenditure are out of balance, policies that encourage healthy lifestyle choices and reduce or eliminate risk factors can help prevent overweight and obesity.
The adoption of a healthy food pattern is a crucial activity supportive of both individual and general public well-being. Increased consumption of fiber-rich foods, such as pulses, has the potential to help prevent adult weight gain, encourage weight loss in people with high BMIs, and lessen the negative impacts of being overweight or obese.
It is believed that pulses are essential for maintaining healthy body weight, feeling full, and eating in moderation, all of which impact BMI. The impact of pulses on satiety and food intake was examined in a meta-analysis of nine feeding studies. The researchers discovered that while pulses increased acute satiety, subsequent meal intake was unaffected. They did, however, note that their analysis was constrained by small sample sizes and significant trial heterogeneity, as is the unfortunate case with many pulse investigations.
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