White Kidney Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Consumption Reduces Fat Accumulation in a Polygenic Mouse Model of Obesity

Non-starch polysaccharides from kidney beans: comprehensive insight into their extraction, structure and physicochemical and nutritional properties

Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are an important legume source of carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive molecules and thus have attracted increasing attention for their high nutritional value and sustainability. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in kidney beans account for a high proportion and have a significant impact on their biological functions. Herein, we critically update the information on kidney bean varieties and factors that influence the physicochemical properties of carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, their extraction methods, structural characteristics, and health regulatory effects, such as the regulation of intestinal health and anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, are also summarized. This review will provide suggestions for further investigation of the structure of kidney bean NSPs, their relationships with biological functions, and the development of NSPs as novel plant carbohydrate resources.

Dietary pulses as a means to improve the gut microbiome, inflammation, and appetite control in obesity

A dysbiotic intestinal microbiome has been linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, which may suggest that interventions that target the microbiome may be useful in treating obesity and its complications. Appetite dysregulation and chronic systemic low-grade inflammation, such as that observed in obesity, are possibly linked with the intestinal microbiome and are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity via the microbiome. Dietary pulses (e.g., common beans) are composed of nutrients and compounds that possess the potential to modulate the gut microbiota composition and function which can in turn improve appetite regulation and chronic inflammation in obesity. This narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the connection between the gut microbiome and obesity, appetite regulation, and systemic and adipose tissue inflammation. More specifically, it highlights the efficacy of interventions employing dietary common beans as a means to improve gut microbiota composition and/or function, appetite regulation, and inflammation in both rodent obesity and in humans. Collectively, results presented and discussed herein provide insight on the gaps in knowledge necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the potential of beans as a treatment for obesity while highlighting what further research is required to gain this understanding.

Plant Proteins: Methods of Quality Assessment and the Human Health Benefits of Pulses

As countries increase their standard of living and individual income levels rise, there is a concomitant increase in the demand for animal-based protein. However, there are alternative sources. One of the alternatives available is that of increased direct human consumption of plant proteins. The quality of a dietary protein is an important consideration when discussing the merits of one protein source over another. The three most commonly used methods to express protein quality are the protein efficiency ratio (PER), a weight gain measurement; protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS); and the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). The possibility that alterations in the quality and quantity of protein in the diet could generate specific health outcomes is one being actively researched. Plant-based proteins may have additional beneficial properties for human health when compared to animal protein sources, including reductions in risk factors for cardiovascular disease and contributions to increased satiety. In this paper, the methods for the determination of protein quality and the potential beneficial qualities of plant proteins to human health will be described.

White kidney bean extract as a nutraceutical: effects on gut microbiota, alpha-amylase inhibition, and user experiences

White kidney bean extract (WKBE) is a nutraceutical often advocated as an anti-obesity agent. The main proposed mechanism for these effects is alpha-amylase inhibition, thereby slowing carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Thus, it is possible that WKBE could impact the gut microbiota and modulate gut health. We investigated the effects of supplementing 20 healthy adults with WKBE for 1 week in a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial on the composition of the gut microbiota, gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation (faecal calprotectin), GI symptoms, and stool habits. We conducted in vitro experiments and used a gut model system to explore potential inhibition of alpha-amylase. We gained qualitative insight into participant experiences of using WKBE via focus groups. WKBE supplementation decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and increased that of Firmicutes, however, there were no significant differences in post-intervention gut microbiota measurements between the WKBE and control. There were no significant effects on GI inflammation or symptoms related to constipation, or stool consistency or frequency. Our in vitro and gut model system analyses showed no effects of WKBE on alpha-amylase activity. Our findings suggest that WKBE may modulate the gut microbiota in healthy adults, however, the underlying mechanism is unlikely due to active site inhibition of alpha-amylase.

Consumption of Common Bean Suppresses the Obesogenic Increase in Adipose Depot Mass: Impact of Dose and Biological Sex

Obesity prevention is stated as a simple objective in the public health guidelines of most countries: avoid adult weight gain. However, the success of the global population in accomplishing this goal is limited as reflected in the persisting pandemic of overweight and obesity. While many intervention strategies have been proposed, most are directed at mitigating the consequences of obesity. Efforts intended to prevent unintentional weight gain and associated adiposity are termed anti-obesogenic. Herein, evidence is presented that a neglected category of foods, pulses, i.e., grain legumes, have anti-obesogenic activity. Using a preclinical mouse model of obesity, a dose-response study design in animals of both biological sexes, and cooked, freeze-dried, and milled common bean as a representative pulse, data are presented showing that the rate of body weight gain is slowed, and fat accumulation is suppressed when 70% of the dietary protein is provided from common bean. These anti-obesogenic effects are reduced at lower amounts of common bean (17.5% or 35%). The anti-obesogenic responsiveness is greater in female than in male mice. RNA sequence analysis indicates that the sex-related differences extend to gene expression patterns, particularly those related to immune regulation within adipose tissue. In addition, our findings indicate the potential value of a precision nutrition approach for human intervention studies that identify "pulse anti-obesogenic responders". A precision approach may reduce the concentration of pulses required in the diet for benefits, but candidate biomarkers of responsivity to pulse consumption remain to be determined.

In vitro Digestion of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Cooked Beans Induces Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells

Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean) contains high levels of proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, fibers, and vitamins, and for this reason, it represents an essential component of the diet. More than 40,000 varieties of beans have been recognized and are staple foods in the traditional cuisine of many countries. In addition to its high nutritional value, P. vulgaris is also characterized by its nutraceutical properties and favors environmental sustainability. In this manuscript, we studied two different varieties of P. vulgaris, Cannellino and Piattellino. We investigated the effects of traditional processing (soaking and cooking) and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of beans on their phytochemical composition and anticancer activity. Using HT29 and HCT116 colon cancer cell lines, we showed that the extract obtained after gastrointestinal digestion of cooked beans (the bioaccessible fraction, BF) induces cell death through the induction of the autophagic process. We demonstrated that the BF of Cannellino and Piattellino beans at the concentration of 100 μg/mL reduces cell vitality, measured by MMT assay, of both HT29 (88.41% ± 5.79 and 94.38% ± 0.47) and HCT116 (86.29% ± 4.3 and 91.23% ± 0.52) cell lines. Consistently, the treatment of HT29 cells with 100 μg/mL of Cannellino and Piattellino BFs reduced clonogenicity by 95% ± 2.14 and 96% ± 0.49, respectively. Moreover, the activity of extracts appeared to be selective for colon cancer cells. The data shown in this work further confirm P. vulgaris to be among foods with beneficial effects for human health.

Thwarting Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) with Common Bean: Dose- and Sex-Dependent Protection against Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis signifies onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) caused by disrupted metabolic homeostasis compromising liver function. Regular consumption of common beans reduces the risk of metabolic impairment, but its effective dose, the impact of biological sex, and underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. We fed female and male C57BL6/J mice with obesogenic yet isocaloric diets containing 0%, 17.5%, 35%, and 70% of total dietary protein derived from cooked whole common beans. Liver tissue was collected for histopathology, lipid quantification, and RNA-seq analyses. Beans qualitatively and quantitatively diminished hepatic fat deposition at the 35% dose in female and 70% dose in male mice. Bean-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) most significantly mapped to hepatic steatosis and revealed dose-responsive inhibition of de novo lipogenesis markers (Acly, Acaca, Fasn, Elovl6, Scd1, etc.) and triacylglycerol biosynthesis, activation of triacylglycerol degradation, and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) signaling. Upregulated fatty acid β-oxidation was more prominent in females, while suppression of Cd36-mediated fatty acid uptake-in males. Sex-dependent bean effects also involved DEGs patterns downstream of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and MLX-interacting protein-like (MLXIPL). Therefore, biological sex determines amount of common bean in the diet required to prevent hepatic lipid accumulation.

Kidney Bean Fermented Broth Alleviates Hyperlipidemic by Regulating Serum Metabolites and Gut Microbiota Composition

Hyperlipidemia with fat accumulation and weight gain causes metabolic diseases and endangers human body health easily which is accompanied by metabolic abnormalities and intestinal flora disorders. In this study, the kidney bean fermented broth (KBF) was used in rats that were fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia in order to subsequently analyse the serum metabolomics and gut microbiota modulatoration. The results show that the contents of the total polyphenols and total flavonoids in the KBF were up three and one times, while energy and carbohydrates decreased. In the HFD-induced hyperlipidemic model, body weight, organ weight, and the level of blood lipids (ALT, AST, TG, TC) were lower in rats treated with KBF than in the controls. Metabonomics indicate that there were significant differences in serum metabolomics between the KBF and the HFD. KBF could significantly improve the glycerophospholipids, taurine, and hypotaurine metabolism and amino acid metabolism of hyperlipidemic rats and then improve the symptoms of hypersterol and fat accumulation in rats. The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria increased while pathogenic bacteria decreased after the intervention of KBF. KBF ameliorates dyslipidemia of HFD-induced hyperlipidemic via modulating the blood metabolism and the intestinal microbiota. Collectively, these findings suggest that KBF could be developed as a functional food for anti-hyperlipidemia.

A Comparative Study on Phytochemical Fingerprint of Two Diverse Phaseolus vulgarisvar. Tondino del Tavo and Cannellino Bio Extracts

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) represents one of the most famous foods with antiobesity activity showing a significant efficacy against fat accumulation, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. In this work, two Italian varieties of common bean, i.e., Tondino del Tavo and Cannellino Bio, from the centre of Italy were studied to characterise their phenolic profile by HPLC-PDA in relation to different fractions after a straightforward extraction procedure. Antioxidant property and enzymatic inhibition power were also evaluated in order to delineate a possible biological profile. Results show a considerable phenolic content (0.79 and 1.1 µg/mg of 3-hydroxybenzoic acid for hexane extract of Tondino del Tavo and Cannellino Bio, respectively; 0.30 µg/mg p-coumaric acid for n-hexane extract of Tondino del Tavo) for both varieties, and a strong antioxidant activity according to the major phenolic concentration of the extracts. The anti-inflammatory activity of the decoction extracts was also investigated through a zymosan-induced edema formation assay, revealing a moderate ability for both of them. These preliminary data prompt us to further explore the nutrient components of these two varieties in the future.

Relandscaping the Gut Microbiota with a Whole Food: Dose–Response Effects to Common Bean

Underconsumption of dietary fiber and the milieu of chemicals with which it is associated is a health concern linked to the increasing global burden of chronic diseases. The benefits of fiber are partially attributed to modulation of the gut microbiota, whose composition and function depend on the amount and quality of microbiota-accessible substrates in the diet. However, not all types of fiber are equally accessible to the gut microbiota. Phaseolus vulgaris L., or common bean, is a food type rich in fiber as well as other prebiotics posing a great potential to positively impact diet-microbiota-host interactions. To elucidate the magnitude of bean’s effects on the gut microbiota, increasing doses of common bean were administered in macronutrient-matched diet formulations. The microbial communities in the ceca of female and male mice were evaluated via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. As the bean dose increased, the Bacillota:Bacteroidota ratio (formerly referred to as the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio) was reduced and α-diversity decreased, whereas the community composition was distinctly different between the diet groups according to β-diversity. These effects were more pronounced in female mice compared to male mice. Compositional analyses identified a dose-responsive bean-induced shift in microbial composition. With an increasing bean dose, Rikenellaceae, Bacteroides, and RF39, which are associated with health benefits, were enhanced. More taxa, however, were suppressed, among which were Allobaculum, Oscillospira, Dorea, and Ruminococcus, which are predominantly associated with chronic disease risk. Investigation of the origins of the dose dependent and biological sex differences in response to common bean consumption may provide insights into bean-gut microbiota-host interactions important to developing food-based precision approaches to chronic disease prevention and control.

Effects of Whole Brown Bean and Its Isolated Fiber Fraction on Plasma Lipid Profile, Atherosclerosis, Gut Microbiota, and Microbiota-Dependent Metabolites in Apoe-/- Mice

The health benefits of bean consumption are widely recognized and are largely attributed to the dietary fiber content. This study investigated and compared the effects of whole brown beans and an isolated bean dietary fiber fraction on the plasma lipid profile, atherosclerotic plaque amount, gut microbiota, and microbiota-dependent metabolites (cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and plasma methylamines) in Apoe^−/− mice fed high fat diets for 10.5 weeks. The results showed that both whole bean and the isolated fiber fraction had a tendency to lower atherosclerotic plaque amount, but not plasma lipid concentration. The whole bean diet led to a significantly higher diversity of gut microbiota compared with the high fat diet. Both bean diets resulted in a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, higher relative abundance of unclassified S24-7, Prevotella, Bifidobacterium, and unclassified Clostridiales, and lower abundance of Lactobacillus. Both bean diets resulted in higher formation of all cecal SCFAs (higher proportion of propionic acid and lower proportion of acetic acid) and higher plasma trimethylamine N-oxide concentrations compared with the high fat diet. Whole beans and the isolated fiber fraction exerted similar positive effects on atherosclerotic plaque amount, gut microbiota, and cecal SCFAs in Apoe^−/− mice compared with the control diets.

A Comprehensive Review on Anti-obesity Potential of Medicinal Plants and their Bioactive Compounds

Background:

Obesity is a complex health and global epidemic issue. It is an increasing global health challenge covering significant social and economic costs. Abnormal accumulation of fat in the body may increase the health risks including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancer. Synthetic drugs available on the market reported to have several side effects. Therefore, the management of obesity got to involve the traditional use of medicinal plants which helps to search the new therapeutic targets and supports the research and development of anti-obesity drugs.

Objective:

This review aim to update the data and provide a comprehensive report of currently available knowledge of medicinal plants and phyto-chemical constituents reported for their anti-obesity activity.

Methodology:

An electronic search of the periodical databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, Niscair, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar with information reported the period 1991-2019, was used to retrieve published data.

Results:

A comprehensive report of the present review manuscript is an attempt to list the medicinal plants with anti-obesity activity. The review focused on plant extracts, isolated chemical compounds with their mechanism of action and their preclinical experimental model, clinical studies for further scientific research.

Conclusion:

This review is the compilation of the medicinal plants and their constituents reported for the managements of obesity. The data will fascinate the researcher to initiate further research that may lead to the drug for the management of obesity and their associated secondary complications. Several herbal plants and their respective lead constituents were also screened by preclinical In-vitro and In-vivo, clinical trials and are effective in the treatment of obesity. Therefore, there is a need to develop and screen large number of plant extracts and this approach can surely be a driving force for the discovery of anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants.

White common bean extract remodels the gut microbiota and ameliorates type 2 diabetes and its complications: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Excessive carbohydrate intake is a high risk factor for increased morbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A novel regimen for the dietary care of diabetes that consists of a highly active α-amylase inhibitor derived from white common bean extract (WCBE) and sufficient carbohydrates intake was applied to attenuate T2D and its complications. Furthermore, the role of gut microbiota in this remission was also investigated.

METHODS

We conducted a 4-month randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. During the intense intervention period, ninety subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (Group C) and WCBE group (Group W). Subjects in Group C were supplemented with 1.5 g of maltodextrin as a placebo. Subjects in Group W took 1.5 g of WCBE half an hour before a meal. Fifty-five participants continued the maintenance intervention receiving the previous dietary intervention whereas less frequent follow-up. The variation in biochemical, vasculopathy and neuropathy indicators and the structure of the fecal microbiota during the intervention was analyzed.

RESULT

Glucose metabolism and diabetic complications showed superior remission in Group W with a 0.721 ± 0.742% decline of glycosylated hemoglobin after 4 months. The proportion of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Toronto Clinical Scoring System, TCSS ≥ 6) was significantly lower in Group W than in Group C. Both the left and right sural sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV-left sural and SNCV-right sural) slightly decreased in Group C and slightly increased in Group W. Additionally, the abundances of Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium and Anaerostipes were higher in Group W, and the abundances of Weissella, Klebsiella, Cronobacter and Enterobacteriaceae_unclassified were lower than those in Group C at month 2. At the end of month 4, Bifidobacterium remained more abundant in Group W.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report of improvement to diabetes complications by using a dietary supplement in such a short-term period. The enrichment of SCFA-producing bacteria might be responsible for the attenuation of T2D and its complications.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=23309&htm=4, identifier ChiCTR-IOR-17013656.

Phytochemical Investigation of Bioactive Compounds from White Kidney Beans (Fruits of Phaseolus multiflorus var. Albus): Identification of Denatonium with Osteogenesis-Inducing Effect

Phaseolus multiflorus var. albus (Leguminosae), commonly known as “white kidney bean”, is a twining perennial vine whose fruit has been used as a popular food worldwide owing to its high nutritional content, in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. As part of our ongoing study to investigate novel bioactive components from various natural resources, a phytochemical investigation of the extract of P. multiflorus var. albus fruits resulted in the isolation of three phenolic compounds (1–3) and one dipeptide (4). The chemical structures of the compounds (1–4) were determined through 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution-liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; they were identified as denatonium (1), trans-ferulic acid ethyl ester (2), eugenin (3), and α-L-glutamyl-L-Leucine (4). Intriguingly, denatonium (1) is known to be the most bitter chemical compound. To the best of our knowledge, denatonium (1) was identified from natural sources for the first time, and compounds 2–4 were reported for the first time from P. multiflorus var. albus in this study; however, compound 2 turned out to be an artifact produced by an extraction with ethanol. The isolated compounds 1–4 were tested for their regulatory effects on the differentiation between osteogenesis and adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Compound 4 slightly suppressed the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, and compounds 1 and 4 stimulated osteogenic differentiation, unlike the negative control. These findings provide experimental evidence that compounds 1 and 4 may induce the osteogenesis of MSCs and activate bone formation.

The interaction of Akkermansia muciniphila with host-derived substances, bacteria and diets

Abstract

Trillions of microbes inhabit the human gut and build extremely complex communities. Gut microbes contribute to host metabolisms for better or worse and are widely studied and associated with health and disease. Akkermansia muciniphila is a gut microbiota member, which uses mucin as both carbon and nitrogen sources. Many studies on A. muciniphila have been conducted since this unique bacterium was first described in 2004. A. muciniphila can play an important role in our health because of its beneficial effects, such as improving type II diabetes and obesity and anti-inflammation. A. muciniphila establishes its position as a next-generation probiotic. Besides the effect of A. muciniphila on host health, a technique for boosting has been investigated. In this review, we show what factors can modulate the abundance of A. muciniphila focusing on the interaction with host-derived substances, other bacteria and diets. This review also refers to the possibility of the interaction between medicine and A. muciniphila; this will open up future treatment strategies that can increase A. muciniphila abundance in the gut.

Key points

• Host-derived substances such as bile, microRNA and melatonin as well as mucin have beneficial effects on A. muciniphila.

• Gut and probiotic bacteria and diet ingredients such as carbohydrates and phytochemicals could boost the abundance of A. muciniphila.

• Several medicines could affect the growth of A. muciniphila.

Natural Extracts from White Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Inhibit 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Differentiation

Background: Recent studies have shown that the consumption of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) foods plays an essential role in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Methods: In this study, different natural extracts that include common bean polyphenol-rich extract (CBP), α-amylase inhibitor-rich extract (α-AIE), and non-starch polysaccharides-rich extract (NSP) were isolated. Their effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes differentiation were evaluated, respectively. Results: The results showed that CPB reduced the lipid content in the mature adipocytes to 79.29% (150 μg/mL) and 35.13% (300 μg/mL), and α-AIE reduced it to 90.20% (2 mg/mL) and 68.28% (4 mg/mL), while NSP exhibited an auxo-action, suggesting that both CBP and a-AIE inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocytes differentiation. Additionally, CBP significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) the mRNA expression level and the protein expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), sterol-regulatory element binding proteins 1 c (SREBP-1c), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid binding protein (ap2). Meanwhile, α-AIE only showed significant suppression effects on PPARγ, C/EBPα, and ap2 at the high dose of 4 mg/mL (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that CBP, from white common bean, might be the major component responsible for the inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation.

It's No Has Bean: A Review of the Effects of White Kidney Bean Extract on Body Composition and Metabolic Health

The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity is a global concern, increasing the risk of numerous non-communicable diseases and reducing quality of life. A healthy diet and exercise remain the cornerstone treatments for obesity. However, adherence rates can be low and the effectiveness of these interventions is often less than anticipated, due to compensatory changes in other aspects of the energy balance equation. Whilst some alternative weight-loss therapies are available, these strategies are often associated with side effects and are expensive. An alternative or adjunct to traditional weight-loss approaches may be the use of bioactive compounds extracted from food sources, which can be incorporated into habitual diet with a low cost and minimal burden. One product which has attracted attention in this regard is white kidney bean extract (WKBE), which has been suggested to inhibit the enzyme α-amylase, limiting carbohydrate digestion and absorption with small but potentially meaningful attendant beneficial effects on body weight and metabolic health. In this review, drawing evidence from both human and animal studies, we discuss the current evidence around the effects of WKBE on body composition and metabolic health. In addition, we discuss evidence on the safety of this supplement and explore potential directions for future research.

Consumption of Cooked Black Beans Stimulates a Cluster of Some Clostridia Class Bacteria Decreasing Inflammatory Response and Improving Insulin Sensitivity

There is limited information on the effect of black beans (BB) as a source of protein and resistant starch on the intestinal microbiota. The purpose of the present work was to study the effect of cooked black beans with and without high fat and sugar (HF + S) in the diet on body composition, energy expenditure, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, NF-κB, occluding and insulin signaling in a rat model and the area under the curve for glucose, insulin and incretins in healthy subjects. The consumption of BB reduced the percentage of body fat, the area under the curve of glucose, serum leptin, LPS, glucose and insulin concentrations and increased energy expenditure even in the presence of HF + S. These results could be mediated in part by modification of the gut microbiota, by increasing a cluster of bacteria in the Clostridia class, mainly R. bromii, C. eutactus, R. callidus, R. flavefaciens and B. pullicaecorum and by an increase in the concentration of fecal butyrate. In conclusion, the consumption of BB can be recommended to prevent insulin resistance and metabolic endotoxemia by modifying the gut microbiota. Finally, the groups fed BB showed lower abundance of hepatic FMO-3, even with a high-fat diet protecting against the production of TMAO and obesity.

Pulse Crop Effects on Gut Microbial Populations, Intestinal Function, and Adiposity in a Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

The dietary fiber gap that is present in many countries co-exists with a low intake of grain legumes (pulses) that have 2-3 times more dietary fiber than cereal grains that are commonly recommended to increase fiber intake. Given the relationships among dietary fiber, gut health and chronic disease risk, a study was undertaken in a preclinical mouse model for obesity to examine how commonly consumed pulses, i.e., chickpea, common bean, dry pea and lentil, would impact gut microbes, intestinal function, and adiposity. Pulses were fed to C57BL/6 mice at similar levels of protein and fiber. Bacterial count in the cecum was elevated 3-fold by pulse consumption. At the phylum level, a 2.2- to 5-fold increase in Bacteriodetes relative to Firmicutes was observed. For Akkermansia muciniphila, a health-beneficial bacterium, differential effects were detected among pulses ranging from no effect to a 49-fold increase. Significant differences among pulses in biomarkers of intestinal function were not observed. Pulses reduced accumulation of lipid in adipose tissue with a greater reduction in the subcutaneous versus visceral depots. Metabolomics analysis indicated that 108 metabolites were highly different among pulse types, and several compounds are hypothesized to influence the microbiome. These results support recent recommendations to increase consumption of pulse-based foods for improved health, although all pulses were not equal in their effects.