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International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition Volume 72, 2021 - Issue 7
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Comprehensive review

Nut and legume consumption and human health: an umbrella review of observational studies

Daniela Martinia Department of Food, Environmental, and Nutritional Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, ItalyORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8298-926X
ORCID Icon,
Justyna Godosb Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
,
Stefano Marventanoc Childhood and Adolescent Department, Rimini Women’s Health, AUSL Romagna, Rimini, Italy
,
Maria Tierid SmartFood Program, Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Francesca Ghelfie Fondazione De Marchi-Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy;f NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, UK
,
Lucilla Tittad SmartFood Program, Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
,
Alessandra Lafranconig University of Milano – Bicocca, Milan, Italy;h Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Helena Trigueirof NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, UK
,
Angelo Gamberai Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
,
Elena Alonzoj Food and Nutrition Security and Public Health Service, ASP Catania, Catania, Italy
,
Salvatore Sciaccak Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Siracusa-Enna, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
,
Silvio Buscemil Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Sumantra Rayf NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, UK;m Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;n Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK;o Human Nutrition Research Unit, Medical Research Council (MRC), Cambridge, UK
,
Fabio Galvanob Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
,
Daniele Del Riof NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, UK;p Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy;q School of Advanced Studies on Food and Nutrition, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
&
Giuseppe Grossob Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy;f NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, UKCorrespondence[email protected]
 show all
Pages 871-878 | Received 13 Jan 2021, Accepted 20 Jan 2021, Published online: 04 Feb 2021
 
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Abstract

Consumption of nuts and legumes has been associated with several health benefits. The aim of this study was to systematically review existing meta-analyses of observational studies on nut and legume intake and non-communicable diseases, and assess the level of evidence. Out of the six meta-analyses focussed on legume and 15 on nut intake, a possible association with decreased risk of colorectal adenoma and coronary heart disease was found for higher legume consumption, and a decreased risk of cardiovascular and cancer mortality, colon cancer, hypertension and ischaemic stroke for higher nut consumption. The association between legume consumption and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as well as nut consumption and risk of cancer, CVD incidence and all-cause mortality, was deemed as “limited” due to heterogeneity between results and/or potential confounding factors. General benefit towards better health can be observed for nut and legume consumption. Further studies are needed to better elucidate potential confounding factors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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