Legumes Help Control Blood Sugar

Author: Victoria Aly Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Legumes are recommended for diabetics due to their low glycemic index. What's new scientists are discovering ...

Regular consumption of beans or lentils helps people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Scientists have found that daily consumption of legumes has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol.

Legumes are a good source of protein. Taking them helps to slow the rise in blood sugar and lower blood pressure, said study leader Dr. David Jenkins of St. John's Hospital. Michael ”in Toronto.

Legumes are also a good source of fiber. A number of studies have shown that fiber is good for lowering "bad" cholesterol.

Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas and lentils, are recommended for diabetics due to their low glycemic index. It has been found that foods with a low glycemic index have a lower effect on raising blood glucose levels.

However, there are several studies on their direct effects in diabetes, experts say.

For the purposes of the new study, the researchers divided 121 people with diabetes into two groups. For three months, they observed the effects of following a diet that included daily consumption of legumes and an emphasis on more whole grains for higher fiber intake.

The results show that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years with regular consumption of legumes decreases from 10.7% to 9.6%.

It was found that in this group of participants decreased the levels of hemoglobin A1c - from 7.4% to 6.9%. In the group consuming more whole grains, the decrease is from 7.2% to 6.9%.

Regular consumption of legumes also leads to a slight decrease in blood pressure in study participants. Systolic blood pressure decreases from 122 to 118, and diastolic - from 72 to 69. Values of blood pressure below 120/80 are considered normal.

There is no reduction in blood pressure in people with a diet rich in whole grains.

According to some experts, frequent consumption of beans leads to excessive gas emissions. The research team that conducted the new study noted that eating legumes did not cause gastrointestinal complaints in participants.

The results are reflected in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine .

Legumes Help Control Blood Sugar

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