Carbohydrates and Health

8.71 Two cohort studies indicate higher legume (non-soy) consumption is associated
with a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease events (Bazzano et al., 2001;
Nagura et al., 2009). The other three cohort studies indicate no significant
association between legume (non-soy) consumption and the incidence of
cardiovascular disease.
8.72 Six cohort studies were identified that presented evidence on legume intake (nonsoy)
and combined incidence of coronary events and stroke, all of which were
included in a meta-analysis (Fraser et al., 1992; Joshipura et al., 1999; Bazzano et al.,
2001; Joshipura et al., 2009; Nagura et al., 2009; Panagiotakos et al., 2009) (Cardiometabolic
review, cardiovascular disease chapter).
8.73 No significant association is indicated between legume (non-soy) consumption
and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90, 1.03 for each 0.25
serving/day; p=0.2). There is considerable heterogeneity in the data (I 2 = 73%). One
study, which only adjusts results for age, has a strong influence on heterogeneity
When this study is excluded from the analysis heterogeneity is reduced (I 2 =53%)
and there is still no significant association between legume (non-soy) consumption
and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93, 1.04 for each 0.25
serving/day).
Legume intake (serving/day) and cardiovascular disease events
• No association
• Moderate evidence
Cereal fibre
Cardiovascular disease
8.74 One cohort study was identified that presented evidence on cereal fibre intake
and cardiovascular disease incidence (Liu et al., 2002). One cohort study was
subsequently identified in the update search (Chuang et al., 2012) (Cardiometabolic
review, cardiovascular disease chapter; Update search). A meta-analysis
was performed by the same research group that conducted the cardio-metabolic
health review (Threapleton et al., 2013d), which included the studies already
identified and three other studies (Buyken et al., 2010; Baer et al., 2011; Threapleton
et al., 2013a). The results from this later meta-analysis are presented below and
were used to inform this report.
8.75 A non-significant borderline association is indicated between consumption of
cereal fibre and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84, 1.00
for each 7g/day increase; p=0.06).
Cereal fibre (g/day) and cardiovascular disease
• No association
• Limited evidence
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