Intake of legumes and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (prospective cohort and case-control studies)
PubMed 36411221 · doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2022.10.006
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science through March 2022 to evaluate associations between legume intake and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. Screening yielded 26 observational studies (21 prospective cohort, 5 case-control). Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs) for extreme intake comparisons and one-stage dose-response meta-analyses.
What was found
Comparing extreme categories of legume intake: - CVD (n = 25 studies): RR = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.99) - CHD (n = 16 studies): RR = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.96) - Stroke (n = 9 studies): RR = 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.08) Dose-response meta-analysis showed an inverse association with CHD that strengthened up to an intake of 400 g/week, after which the benefit leveled off.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis supports dietary guidelines favoring legume consumption, identifying an optimal intake threshold around 400 g/week for CHD and CVD risk reduction, though finding no apparent association with overall stroke.
Limits
All included studies were observational, which limits causal inference and leaves potential for residual confounding by other diet and lifestyle factors. Total participant count was not reported in the abstract, specific legume types and preparation methods were not differentiated, and stroke subtypes were not analyzed.
Cited by
- supports Consumption of legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans has been consistently linked in large studies to reduced cardiovascular risk and reduced all-cause mortality.