Fwd: [S-A] Beans and Peas Can Cut Heart Disease Risk

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" Misty L. Trepke "

Mon, 19 Apr 2004 15:36:38 -0000

[s-A] Beans and Peas Can Cut Heart Disease Risk

 

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Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Beans and Peas Can Cut Heart Disease Risk

 

Bulking up the diet with legumes such as beans and peas can lower the

risk of heart disease.

 

Archives of Internal Medicine November 26, 2001;161:2573-2578

 

Men and women who ate legumes at least four times a week had a 22%

lower risk of coronary heart disease over 19 years than those who

consumed legumes once weekly.

 

The most enthusiastic legume eaters also had lower blood pressure and

total cholesterol, and were less likely to be diagnosed with high

blood pressure and diabetes.

 

Legumes are rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to help lower

total cholesterol and LDL ( " bad " ) cholesterol levels and improve

insulin resistance. Legumes also contain low levels of sodium and

high levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium -- a combination that

is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

 

Folate, a mineral also found in abundance in legumes, is thought to

reduce blood levels of homocysteine, a compound that can boost heart

disease risk.

 

The results of their study are based on interviews and medical exams

of more than 9,600 Americans who did not have heart disease when the

study began. Over an average of 19 years, about 1,800 cases of

coronary heart disease were diagnosed.

 

In other findings, individuals who consumed the most legumes tended

to smoke more and consume more calories and saturated fat. They were

also less likely to have graduated from high school. Those who ate

the most legumes also tended to be younger and male. (It is obvious

enough, if you want a healthier lifestyle by improving your diet-

don't smoke!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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