According to a new study from the Illinois Institute of Technology, daily consumption of a cup (or can) of chickpeas significantly lowers cholesterol levels. This means a simple and affordable way to combat health issues caused by high cholesterol, including heart attacks and strokes, has been discovered.
How Did the Researchers Find This Out?
During a 12-week study, the team examined the effects of daily consumption of one can of canned chickpeas or black beans on 72 adult participants with prediabetes.
In addition to their regular diet, participants were randomly assigned to consume chickpeas, black beans, or rice (the control product). The results showed that after regularly eating chickpeas, the participants’ total cholesterol levels significantly decreased—from an average of 200.4 to 185.8 milligrams per deciliter. Meanwhile, consuming black beans reduced inflammation in the body but did not have a significant impact on cholesterol levels.
Chickpeas also appear to reduce inflammation, at least in the short term, the team suggested. “We observed a significant decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) after six weeks of chickpea consumption,” said Morgann Smith, the lead author of the study.
Thus, the researchers found that both chickpeas and black beans are beneficial for health, as reported by BBC Science Focus. These legumes are “rich in dietary fiber, plant protein, and bioactive compounds,” and they are easy to incorporate into meals, Ms. Smith noted.
“Participants were living their normal lives, and they were simply asked to add canned black beans or chickpeas to their usual diet,” she added.
Although the study did not reveal changes in blood sugar levels due to these legumes, the scientists continue to analyze glucose regulation test data and plan to investigate how these products affect the gut microbiome.
“Ultimately, our goal is to better understand the connections between diet, the microbiome, and the prevention of chronic diseases,” emphasized Morgann Smith.