A legume-based hypocaloric diet reduces proinflammatory status and improves metabolic features in overweight/obese subjects

European Journal of Nutrition volume 50, pages61–69(2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The nutritional composition of the dietary intake could produce specific effects on metabolic variables and inflammatory marker concentrations. This study assessed the effects of two hypocaloric diets (legume-restricted- vs. legume-based diet) on metabolic and inflammatory changes, accompanying weight loss.

Methods

Thirty obese subjects (17 M/13F; BMI: 32.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2; 36 ± 8 years) were randomly assigned to one of the following hypocaloric treatments (8 weeks): Calorie-restricted legume-free diet (Control: C-diet) or calorie-restricted legume-based diet (L-diet), prescribing 4 weekly different cooked-servings (160–235 g) of lentils, chickpeas, peas or beans. Body composition, blood pressure (BP), blood biochemical and inflammatory marker concentrations as well as dietary intake were measured at baseline and after the nutritional intervention.

Results

The L-diet achieved a greater body weight loss, when compared to the C-diet (−7.8 ± 2.9% vs. −5.3 ± 2.7%; p = 0.024). Total and LDL cholesterol levels and systolic BP were improved only when consuming the L-diet (p < 0.05). L-diet also resulted in a significant higher reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) and complement C3 (C3) concentrations (p < 0.05), compared to baseline and C-diet values. Interestingly, the reduction in the concentrations of CRP and C3 remained significantly higher to L-diet group, after adjusting by weight loss (p < 0.05). In addition, the reduction (%) in CRP concentrations was positively associated with decreases (%) in systolic BP and total cholesterol concentration specifically in the L-diet group, independent from weight loss (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The consumption of legumes (4 servings/week) within a hypocaloric diet resulted in a specific reduction in proinflammatory markers, such as CRP and C3 and a clinically significant improvement of some metabolic features (lipid profile and BP) in overweight/ obese subjects, which were in some cases independent from weight loss.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank our physician (Blanca E. Martínez de Morentin), our nurse (Salomé Pérez) and our technicians (Ana Lorente and Verónica Ciaurriz), for excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by Línea Especial about Nutrition, Obesity and Health (University of Navarra LE/97) and by Health Department of the Government of Navarra (22/2007). The Capes Foundation-Ministry of Education of Brazil also provided research grant to H. H. M. Hermsdorff (no 3756/05-0).

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Nutrition, Food Science, Physiology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, C/ Irunlarrea, 1, 31008, Pamplona, Spain

    Helen Hermana M. Hermsdorff, M. Ángeles Zulet, Itziar Abete & J. Alfredo Martínez

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  1. Helen Hermana M. Hermsdorff
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  2. M. Ángeles Zulet
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  3. Itziar Abete
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  4. J. Alfredo Martínez
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Correspondence to J. Alfredo Martínez.

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Hermsdorff, H.H.M., Zulet, M.Á., Abete, I. et al. A legume-based hypocaloric diet reduces proinflammatory status and improves metabolic features in overweight/obese subjects. Eur J Nutr 50, 61–69 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0115-x

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Keywords

  • Legumes
  • Hypocaloric diet
  • Weight loss
  • Inflammation
  • C-reactive protein
  • Complement C3