In a nutshell
The study assessed the effects of legumes as low glycemic index diet in controlling blood glucose and cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Some background
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs mainly as a result of failure of cells to respond to the normal actions of insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar). This process is known as insulin resistance. Treatment for patients with T2DM usually includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) or blood sugar-lowering drugs. The glycemic index (GI) measures how fast blood glucose levels rise after a meal. Legumes are a type of diet that is classified as a low GI food. Low GI diet consists of foods that release glucose more slowly and steadily in the blood after meals. Low GI legumes include lentils, peanuts, soybeans, chickpeas, almonds and walnuts.
A measure for blood glucose control for patients with T2DM is the glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c in the blood. This test measures the average blood glucose levels from the last 2 to 3 months. Patients with uncontrolled T2DM also have higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery disease (CAD). This study evaluated whether a low GI diet based on legumes has any effects on blood glucose control and CAD risk.
Methods & findings
The study included 121 T2DM patients. The patients were divided into two groups. 60 patients were randomly assigned to receive low GI legumes while 61 received high wheat fiber diet (medium/high GI diet) for 3 months. HbA1c and CHD risks were measured to analyze the effect of legumes in these patients.
Patients who received legumes had a 0.5% lower HbA1c value, compared to patients in the high wheat fiber diet group had a 0.3% lower HbA1c value. Low GI legume diet slightly reduced the risks of getting CAD by 0.8% as compared to high wheat fiber. The study also indicated that both diets reduced heart beat rates and body weight among patients.
The bottom line
In summary, the study found that patients who received legumes as part of the daily meal had lower HbA1c levels and reduced risks of developing CAD. Additionally, the study revealed that legumes helped patients to control their weight.
The fine print
The study however did not have reliable mechanisms to confirm whether patients followed diet directions as provided by the researchers. Also, this study had a rather small number of participants. Future studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to confirm these results.
What’s next?
Ask your doctor which diet best suits your situation.
Published By :
Archives of Internal medicine
Date :
Nov 26, 2012
