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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi

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Guest Editor

1. Center for Advancing Exercise and Nutrition Research on Aging, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
2. Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
Interests: functional foods; dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, plant bioactive compounds); chronic diseases (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Legumes, pulses, and beans are an inexpensive yet nutrient-dense food widely recognized for their unique nutritional properties and health benefits. Beans are typically considered a low-glycemic food that is high in fiber and resistant starch with many important vitamins and mineral components. The bean matrix is highly complex, with bioactive phytochemicals that act in a number of metabolic and physiological processes to promote a protective role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and gut/colon diseases. Studies show the role of common beans in improving body weight and supporting healthy vasculature by mechanisms that counteract dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The increased consumption of legumes, pulses, and beans may be an effective treatment strategy to improve insulin resistance, inflammation, and comorbid conditions of obesity and T2D via the modulation of gut microbial composition.

The submission of original research (humans, animal models, cell culture studies), review articles, or meta-analysis studies is encouraged for publication in this Special Issue, “The Role of Legumes in the Modulation of Chronic Diseases”.

Prof. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

Beans
Dry grain pulses
Longevity
Gut microbiome

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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16 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessReview

Health Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition: Focus on Beans in Cardiometabolic Diseases

by Amy P. Mullins and Bahram H. Arjmandi

Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 519; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13020519 - 05 Feb 2021

Cited by 69 | Viewed by 28719

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 650,000 American lives annually. Typically not a singular disease, CVD often coexists with dyslipidemia, hypertension, type-2 diabetes (T2D), chronic system-wide inflammation, and obesity. Obesity, an independent risk factor for both CVD and T2D, further worsens the problem, with over 42% of adults and 18.5% of youth in the U.S. categorized as such. Dietary behavior is a most important modifiable risk factor for controlling the onset and progression of obesity and related disease conditions. Plant-based eating patterns that include beans and legumes support health and disease mitigation through nutritional profile and bioactive compounds including phytochemical. This review focuses on the characteristics of beans and ability to improve obesity-related diseases and associated factors including excess body weight, gut microbiome environment, and low-grade inflammation. Additionally, there are growing data that link obesity to compromised immune response and elevated risk for complications from immune-related diseases. Body weight management and nutritional status may improve immune function and possibly prevent disease severity. Inclusion of beans as part of a plant-based dietary strategy imparts cardiovascular, metabolic, and colon protective effects; improves obesity, low-grade inflammation, and may play a role in immune-related disease risk management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Legumes in the Modulation of Chronic Diseases)

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Other

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12 pages, 1154 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Motivating Pulse-Centric Eating Patterns to Benefit Human and Environmental Well-Being

by Chelsea Didinger and Henry Thompson

Nutrients 2020, 12(11), 3500; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12113500 - 14 Nov 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6678

Abstract

Pulses (e.g., lentil, common bean, chickpea, and dry pea) are linked to a myriad of positive human and environmental health impacts, making them an ideal food for wise and conscientious global citizens. In addition, pulses are affordable and shelf-stable. The combination of these factors, an elevated consumer interest in plant-based diets, and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased purchasing of pulses and even empty grocery store shelves. Although pulses have many associated benefits, some consumers are hesitant to regularly eat pulses, claiming concerns of abdominal discomfort or a lack of knowledge on how to best prepare pulses. To capitalize on increased consumer interest and purchasing of pulses, now is the time for outreach efforts that address these concerns and the positive outcomes associated with pulses, thereby promoting public and environmental health. Consumers must actively decide to add pulses to their grocery lists and incorporate them into their regular eating patterns. Motivation to adopt new eating habits is essential because knowledge alone does not result in behavior change. Thus, to mitigate perceived barriers and drive consumption, we suggest application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model and emphasis of three main benefits of pulses as motivators: (1) culinary versatility, (2) sustainability, and (3) healthfulness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Legumes in the Modulation of Chronic Diseases)

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