Reduced energy intake and weight loss on a legume-enriched diet lead to improvements in biomarkers related to chronic disease

The Legume Inflammation Feeding Experiment was a randomized crossover feeding trial of a legume-enriched (250 g/d) diet among men (n = 64) characterized for colorectal adenoma and insulin resistance status. A subset of participants (n = 44) completed a third, optional 4-week period, which encouraged weight loss. Participants significantly decreased energy intake (-770.3 kcal/d) and energy density (-0.45). We observed a 4.4% decrease in weight (-4.0 + 0.4 kg), accompanied by reductions in fasting plasma glucose (-5.7%), insulin (-15.8%), serum C-peptide (-17.4%), C-reactive protein (-32.7%), soluble tumor necrosis factor α receptor I (-42%), total (-13.3%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-15.6 %). A legume-enriched low energy density diet may promote weight loss.