Lentils, shown above in three different colour varieties, are one type of Pulse. Pulses are part of the legume family, however “pulse” only refers to the dried seed. (Image credit: Justin C)
Eating just one serving of beans, peas, chickpeas, or lentils a day could help contribute to a modest weight loss, according to a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Researchers founding eating 130 grams (or ¾ of a cup) of the food group known as pulses each day led to just over half a pound of weight loss.
Currently only 13 per cent of Canadians eat these foods each day, and most do not finish the full serving, according to Dr. Russell de Souza, lead author of the review and a researcher with the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital.
The meta-analysis looked at 21 clinical trials, involving 940 adult men and women.
Original research paper published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on March 30, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
