SERUM-LIPID RESPONSE OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC MEN TO SINGLE AND DIVIDED DOSES OF CANNED BEANS

Dried beans lower serum lipid concentrations in healthy and hyperlipidemic subjects. To determine the effects of canned beans on serum lipid concentrations, 24 hyperlipidemic men ate one of three bean diets for 21 d in a metabolic ward. Diets A and B included 227 g canned beans (120 g beans with 107 g tomato sauce) daily, in a single dose for diet A and in a divided dose for diet B. Diet C included 182 g canned beans (162 g beans with 20 g tomato sauce) daily in a divided dose. All bean diets combined lowered serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations 10.4% (p<0.001) and 10.8% (p<0.025), respectively. Diet B was as effective as diet C, and the groups on those diets had greater cholesterol reductions than did the group on diet A. Serum cholesterol reduction was positively correlated (p<0.01) with intake of total dietary fiber and soluble fiber. The ratios of low- to high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol remained constant for all groups. Body weight decreased 1.0-1.5 kg for all groups despite constant energy intakes. Canned beans may make an important contribution to hyperlipidemia management.