# Associations between Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Increased Consumption of Diverse Legumes: A South African Food and Nutrition Security Programme Case Study

## TL;DR

A South African study found that eating more legumes helped improve heart health and blood sugar levels in older farmers.

## Contribution

The study shows that regular legume consumption can significantly reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in an aging farming population.

## Key findings

- Experimental group showed significant improvements in blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
- Cholesterol and systolic blood pressure trends were significantly better in the experimental group.
- Legume-based interventions can support global goals for health and sustainable food systems.

## Abstract

The programme aimed to improve selected cardiometabolic risk (CMR) variables using a nutritional intervention among farmers who reported hypertensive disorders as hindrances during agricultural activities. The intervention had two case controls (n = 103) [experimental group-EG (n = 53) and control group-CG (n = 50)] which were tracked and whose blood pressure measurements, dietary intake, blood indices for cholesterol concentration and glucose levels from pre- and post-intervention surveys after the baseline survey (n = 112) were analysed. The interval for data collection was 12 weeks (±120 days) after five legume varieties were consumed between 3 and 5 times a day, and servings were not <125 g per at least three times per week. Sixty-five per cent of farmers were above 60 years old, with mean age ranges of 63.3 (SD ± 6.3) years for women and 67.2 (SD ± 6.7) for men. The post-intervention survey revealed that EG blood results indicated nutrient improvement with p <= 0.05 for blood glucose (p = 0.003) and cholesterol (p = 0.001) as opposed to the CG. A trend analysis revealed that cholesterol (p = 0.033) and systolic blood pressure (SBP); (p = 0.013) were statistically significant when comparing genders for all study phases. Interventions focusing on legumes can improve hypertension and cardiovascular disease and fast-track the achievement of SGDs 3 and 12 through community-based programmes.