Nut and legume consumption and human health: an umbrella review of observational studies

Daniela Martini, Justyna Godos, Stefano Marventano, Maria Tieri, Francesca Ghelfi, Lucilla Titta, Alessandra Lafranconi, Helena Trigueiro, Angelo Gambera, Elena Alonzo, Salvatore Sciacca, Silvio Buscemi, Sumantra Ray, Fabio Galvano, Daniele Del Rio, Giuseppe Grosso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)
261 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Consumption of nuts and legumes has been associated with several health benefits. The aim of this study was to systematically review existing meta-analyses of observational studies on nut and legume intake and non-communicable diseases, and assess the level of evidence. Out of the six meta-analyses focussed on legume and 15 on nut intake, a possible association with decreased risk of colorectal adenoma and coronary heart disease was found for higher legume consumption, and a decreased risk of cardiovascular and cancer mortality, colon cancer, hypertension and ischaemic stroke for higher nut consumption. The association between legume consumption and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as well as nut consumption and risk of cancer, CVD incidence and all-cause mortality, was deemed as “limited” due to heterogeneity between results and/or potential confounding factors. General benefit towards better health can be observed for nut and legume consumption. Further studies are needed to better elucidate potential confounding factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)871-878
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
Volume72
Issue number7
Early online date4 Feb 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 3 Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • nut
  • legume
  • meta-analysis
  • umbrella review
  • cardiovascular disease
  • cancer
  • coronary heart diseases
  • Nut

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