Papel de las leguminosas en la alimentación actual

Up to 150 kinds of pulses are used in the human and animal diet, and the most relevant ones for human consumption are beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, broad beans and cowpeas. Where it comes to their composition, it is interesting to point out the contents of proteins, slow-absorbing carbohydrates, minerals (calcium, iron, and zinc), fibre (of the soluble type) and some minority bioactive components. There is less human consumption of pulses in Europe than in other regions of the world and there is a wide variety. The possibility of using cooked, ready-to-use pulses makes it easier for their consumption to increase in homes and for them to be adapted to social, economic and cultural changes. Cooking them improves the nutritional profile of beans, for it reduces thermolabile toxic component and oligosaccharides, while it maintains the protein and fibre content.

The WHO recommends the consumption of pulses for reducing the risk of food-related diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes and obesity). In recent diet recommendations for the American population, the importance of consuming beans (included in the vegetable and protein group) is highlighted.

Different legumes have different nutrient and bioactive compound content, so it is interesting to know the effect of their consumption, especially with regards to chronic pathologies. In Spain, there are many varieties of beans of which two have been selected for their composition to be analysed and for their effect on glycaemia and insulin in type 2 diabetics to be assessed, the main results of which are discussed in the article.