Legumes Improve Heart Health

Consuming beans, lentils, peas, and other legumes reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure, according to a review published in Advances in Nutrition. Researchers reviewed publications that assessed consumption of legumes on the risk for cardiometabolic diseases and related markers. Results showed that those who consumed the most legumes reduced incidence rates for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and hypertension by as much as 10 percent when compared to those with the lowest intakes. The authors recommend increased pulse consumption in North American and European populations to improve cardiometabolic health.