Health benefits of Beans for patients with history of colorectal cancer. Adding a cup of beans to the usual diet enhances the gut microbiome and regulates host markers associated with metabolic obesity and colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the December issue of eBioMedicine.
Dr. Xiaotao Zhang and team from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center conducted a 16-week trial on obese surveillance patients with a history of colorectal neoplasia.
After a four-week baseline, participants were randomly assigned to either maintain their regular diet or include a daily cup of study beans.
The study revealed that adding navy beans positively impacted the gut microbiome, increasing diversity and influencing specific bacteria.
There were increases observed in proteomic biomarkers of intestinal and systemic inflammatory response and fibroblast-growth factor-19 and a decrease in interleukin-10 receptor-α.
Although returning to the usual diet reversed these changes, the authors suggest that incorporating a cup of navy beans into the weekly diet is a safe and feasible strategy for high-risk patients.
Salient Features of Beans:
Prebiotic Powerhouse:
- Rich in non-digestible oligosaccharides that promote beneficial gut bacteria, reducing harmful ones.
- Balanced in microbiota-accessible carbohydrates like resistant starch and fibers.
- High in essential amino acids, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds.
Unique Benefits of Navy Beans:
- Richer in lysine, iron, phosphatidylserine, apigenin, saponins, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid compared to other legumes.
- Improves intestinal health and mitigates obesity-related inflammation.
- Linked to improved cardiovascular health and reduced colorectal cancer risk.
Benefits for High-Risk Patients:
- Potential to improve gut and metabolic health in individuals with known challenges managing both.
- Lack of studies addressing this specific population.
Overall:
- Beans are affordable, accessible, and offer significant prebiotic and nutritional benefits.
- Navy beans stand out for their unique composition and potential health effects.
- More research is needed on the effectiveness of beans in high-risk patients.
More information:
Health benefits of Beans for patients with history of colorectal cancer. Xiaotao Zhang et al, Modulating a prebiotic food source influences inflammation and immune-regulating gut microbes and metabolites: insights from the BE GONE trial, eBioMedicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104873