Decreased Consumption of Dried Mature Beans Is Positively Associated with Urbanization and Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Legumes may protect against myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of this study was to determine whether consumption of dried mature beans (referred to as beans), the main legume in Latin America, is associated with MI. The cases (n = 2119) were survivors of a first acute MI and were matched by age, sex, and area of residence to randomly selected population controls (n = 2119) in Costa Rica. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated FFQ. Of the population, 69% consumed > or = 1 serving of beans/d (1 serving = one-third cup of cooked beans, approximately 86 g). Consumption of > or = 1 serving/d was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in rural (81%) than in urban (65%) areas. Individuals who never eat dried beans or whose consumption was < 1 time/mo were classified as nonconsumers. Compared with nonconsumers, intake of 1 serving of beans/d was inversely associated with MI in analyses adjusted for smoking, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, abdominal obesity, physical activity, income, intake of alcohol, total energy, saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat, and cholesterol [odds ratio (OR) = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.45-0.88]. No further protection was observed with increased number of servings/d (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.52-1.03 for > 1 serving/d). In summary, we found that consumption of 1 serving of beans/d is associated with a 38% lower risk of MI. No additional protection was observed at intakes > 1 serving/d. These findings are timely given the trend toward increased obesity, cardiovascular disease, and a reduction in the intake of beans in Latin American countries.

Dietary patterns and risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in Costa Rican adults

“…Low a-linolenic acid in adipose tissue is a major independent predictor of MI in the Costa Rican population (Baylin et al, 2003). Interestingly, important constituents of beans (folate and dietary fiber), a major component of the staple dietary pattern, have been associated with protection against MI (Rimm et al, 1996;Liu et al, 2002;Tavani et al, 2004); as well as beans themselves in this particular population (Kabagambe et al, 2005). Intake of folate and dietary fiber is higher in the fifth quintile of the staple dietary pattern score compared to the lowest.…”

Bioactive constituents in pulses and their health benefits

“…Other bioactive components include phytates, lectins and enzyme inhibitors that are often considered as anti-nutritional factors. In spite of this, these compounds are mainly concentrated in the hull portions of the pulses and have been hypothesised to prevent many diseases (Kabagambe et al 2005). Dehulling is a good alternative for utilizing seed coats for specialized phytochemicals in designing of nutraceuticals, while cotyledons can be used as a vegetable protein sources.…”

Percepciones sobre disponibilidad de alimentos y autorreporte de ingesta alimentaria en mujeres urbanas costarricenses: Un estudio piloto

“…Sin embargo, no hay estudios que hayan evaluado la variación en disponibilidad de alimentos según NSE entre mujeres latinoamericanas urbanas en edad reproductiva. Sólo unos pocos estudios en América Latina han evaluado la variación en ingesta alimentaria según NSE y esos estudios se enfocaron en un número limitado de alimentos Colón-Ramos et al, 2007;Dressler et al, 2008;Jaime, et al, 2011;Kabagambe et al, 2005). Es necesario contar con un panorama más completo acerca de cómo la disponibilidad y el consumo de alimentos varían según NSE en Costa Rica.…”