ARS | Publication request: Gastrointestinal discomfort from legumes varies with type and diminishes after 4 weeks

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: November 10, 2006
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
Publisher's URL: http://www.fasebj.org
Reprint URL: http://www.fasebj.org
Citation: Winham, D., Reeves, P.G., Hutchins, A., Finley, J.W. 2007. Gastrointestinal discomfort from legumes varies with type and diminishes after 4 weeks [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 21(6):A1077.

Technical Abstract: A questionnaire to identify perceived changes in flatulence with daily consumption of ½ cup legumes was administered as part of 3 studies that examined the effects of legumes on blood lipids. Forty men and women in each cohort of pinto beans vs. placebo (soup) ate the ½ cup of food daily for 12 weeks in a parallel arm design. Studies 2 and 3 were cross-over designs with each treatment lasting 8 weeks. Study 2 utilized ½ cup of pinto beans, black eye peas, and placebo (carrots) (n=17). Study 3 randomized participants to ½ cup baked beans and placebo (carrots) (n=29). Study 1: Over weeks 1-5, 45%-30% of the pinto bean group reported increased flatulence in contrast to 0%-16% in the control group (Chi-square P=0.034). After week 5, reports of increased flatulence remained at 15-20% for the pinto bean group and 0-16% for controls. Study 2: 50% of the participants in the pinto bean phase reported increased flatulence each week with placebo (P=0.000). During the first 2 weeks of the black eye pea phase 19% (week 1) and 12% (week 2) of participants reported increased flatulence. Study 3: 47% of participants reported increased flatulence in week 1 with ½ cup baked beans decreasing to 24% by week 3, and remaining at 11%. For the placebo, only 3.4% reported an increase in flatulence (P=0.001). Research support provided by the Beans for Health Alliance and Bush Brothers & Company, Knoxville, TN.