Researchers have found that eating beans every day can improve the gut microbiota.
THE legumes are good for health, particularly White beans according to researchers at the University of Texas. Thanks to their richness in prebiotics, these beans have a positive impact on the gut health and prevention of colorectal cancer. For their study, the results of which were published in The Lancet in November 2023, the researchers followed 55 obese men and women (BMI greater than 30 or waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women) with a history of intestinal lesions (colorectal cancer and/or polyps precancerous at high risk of developing into cancer), for 16 weeks. Some of the volunteers added a cup of white beans per day, the equivalent of approximately 250 g, to its diet; the other kept his usual diet. The beans were organic, canned and pressure cooked. Every four weeks, participants provided fasting stool and blood samples to assess changes in their gut microbiota as well as metabolites and cancer markers.
They improve the intestinal microbiota
At the end of the follow-up: participants who added a cup of white beans to their meals daily saw positive changes in their gut microbiota, associated with cancer prevention and improved treatment outcomes. Among these changes:
- the increase in beneficial bacteria in the colon,
- there reduction of pathogenic bacteria
- the presence of immune system strengthening proteins
- the decrease in cytokine, linked to tumor necrosis activity and cell death.
“THE beans do not seem to cause intestinal inflammation nor have a serious impact on bowel habits, which is crucial for colorectal cancer survivors and patients,” said Professor Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, epidemiologist and author of the study. Of the mild to moderate bloating/flatulence and/or changes in bowel habits (constipation/loose stools) were reported in a third of participants but no serious side effects (intestinal inflammation for example) has not been reported.
“Once participants stopped eating beans, the effects quickly wore off”
“However, once participants stopped eating beans, the positive effects quickly faded, highlighting the need to educate patients on how to maintain healthy habits.” The researchers said they are now focusing on a wider variety prebiotic foods and how changes to the microbiome affect patients receiving immunotherapy.