Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract only checked★ key study I-LEG-03 in-depth review
Legumes and inflammation marker CRP
Effects of non-soy legume consumption on C-reactive protein: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Overview
Salehi-Abargouei A et al.. Nutrition 2015 · PMID 25837205 · DOI 10.1016/j.nut.2014.10.018
Trials found no increase in CRP from eating legumes; levels tended to fall.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Legumes and CRP
- How was the study done?
Meta-analysis of RCTs
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
464
- What was actually found?
No increase; trend to decrease
- How large was the observed effect?
MD -0.21
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Legumes are not shown to inflame.
- What are the study's limitations?
Small
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Contradicts claim
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot exclude effects on other markers.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Salehi-Abargouei A et al.
- Journal
- Nutrition
- Year
- 2015
- Identifier
- PMID 25837205 DOI 10.1016/j.nut.2014.10.018
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Effect of non-soy legumes on CRP.
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Meta-analysis – Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
- Population
Adults in RCTs
- Country
Multiple
- Period
Search to July 2013
- Sample size
9 RCTs reviewed; 8 RCTs, 464 participants meta-analysed
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
RCTs of non-soy legume intake
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Non-soy legumes
- Comparator
Control diets
- Endpoints
CRP, hs-CRP
- Statistical methods
Random effects; subgroups
5. Actual results
- Results
Overall MD -0.21 (95% CI -0.44 to 0.02; P=0.068); parallel studies CRP MD -1.01 (-1.78 to -0.23); hs-CRP MD -0.53 (-0.95 to -0.11); crossover subgroup MD -0.68 (-1.28 to -0.08).
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Non-soy legume consumption may contribute to reductions in CRP; more trials needed.
6. Strengths
- RCT-based
7. Weaknesses
- Small
- Overall not significant
- Subgroup analyses
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- AMSTAR 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Small number of trials.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
No evidence of increase; possible decrease.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Directly tests the 'legumes cause inflammation' claim.
11. Independent contrary findings
None for harm.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Moderate.
13. Overall methodological judgement
No support for inflammation claim.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | mixed |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Other inflammatory markers.
15. Linked fact checks
- Fava beans and lentils (together with flour products) are toxins that cause inflammation and deteriorate health; the fava bean hull is indigestible and the bean contains toxins that ferment 'dirtily'. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Legumes, and fava beans in particular, cause autoimmune diseases. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim