Prebiotic Potential of Dietary Beans and Pulses and Their Resistant Starch for Aging-Associated Gut and Metabolic Health

Abstract

Dietary pulses, including dry beans, lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas, have the highest proportion of fiber among different legume cultivars and are inexpensive, easily accessible, and have a long shelf-life. The inclusion of pulses in regular dietary patterns is an easy and effective solution for achieving recommended fiber intake and maintaining a healthier gut and overall health. Dietary pulses-derived resistant starch (RS) is a relatively less explored prebiotic ingredient. Several in vitro and preclinical studies have elucidated the crucial role of RS in fostering and shaping the gut microbiota composition towards homeostasis thereby improving host metabolic health. However, in humans and aged animal models, the effect of only the cereals and tubers derived RS has been studied. In this context, this review collates literature pertaining to the beneficial effects of dietary pulses and their RS on gut microbiome-metabolome signatures in preclinical and clinical studies while contemplating their potential and prospects for better aging-associated gut health. In a nutshell, the incorporation of dietary pulses and their RS in diet fosters the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and significantly enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon.

Prebiotic mechanisms of resistant starches from dietary beans and pulses on gut microbiome and metabolic health in a humanized murine model of aging

“…In the present study, α- and β-diversity arrays were affected differently by the consumption of RS from different sources, with CKP demonstrating a more pronounced effect overall. Such differences could be ascribed to structural variations in RS linked with different legume cultivars ( 5 ). Whole chickpea powder supplemented in an obesogenic diet has previously been reported to yield superior α-diversity compared to other pulse groups ( 9 ).…”

“…Dietary pulses are an inexpensive, sustainable and valuable source of nutrient-dense, health-promoting foods composed of both high-quality proteins and dietary fibers, which could serve as a perfect-food choice for the elderly in promoting gut and metabolic health ( 5 ). In fact, a study, ‘ Foods Habits in Later Life ’ strongly predicted survival among elderly consuming pulses ( 6 ).…”

Impact of a daily legume‐based meal on dietary and nutritional intake in a group of omnivorous adults

“…Indeed, the Mediterranean Diet recommendations were recently updated and grain legumes have been incorporated into the category of daily consumption (Serra‐Majem et al, 2020). Besides protein, grain legumes add considerable amounts of fibre (Kadyan et al, 2022), minerals (e.g. iron, zinc, potassium; Grela & Samoli, 2017), vitamins (e.g.…”

HSQC‐NMR‐based profiling approaches for raffinose family oligosaccharides in pulses

“…In addition, specific health benefits were demonstrated or are suggested for a diet rich in legumes. For example, consumption of legumes may have cholesterol‐ and blood pressure‐lowering effects (Ha et al, 2014; Jayalath et al, 2014), and legume dietary fiber has prebiotic properties by promoting the growth of probiotic microorganisms in the gut such as bifidobacteria (Holscher, 2017; Kadyan et al, 2022; Micioni Di Bonaventura et al, 2017). In addition to raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO), many other indigestible carbohydrates such as pectins or hemicelluloses contribute to legume dietary fiber (Brummer et al, 2015).…”

“…fiber has prebiotic properties by promoting the growth of probiotic microorganisms in the gut such as bifidobacteria (Holscher, 2017;Kadyan et al, 2022;Micioni Di Bonaventura et al, 2017). In addition to raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO), many other indigestible carbohydrates such as pectins or hemicelluloses contribute to legume dietary fiber (Brummer et al, 2015).…”