Effects of Adding Chickpeas to the American Diet on Fecal Microbiota Composition and Markers of Inflammation
Effects of Adding Chickpeas to the American Diet on Fecal Microbiota Composition and Markers of Inflammation
This prospective study will assess the effects of adding legumes, especially chick peas, to the diet of healthy adults on the commensal bacteria from feces of human subjects and resulting self-reported GI symptoms as well as markers of immune function.
Short-term active feeding study:
The investigators will provide various chickpea products to participants for a 14 day chickpea enhanced diet. Subjects will receive specific meal plan instructions for the consumption of 5 servings/week of chickpeas. Chickpea products will be sourced from commercial providers. While participants will be told to substitute chickpea products for other diet ingredients, the subjects will be free to choose what to substitute according to their preferences. Subjects will keep daily food records and will be told that chickpea consumption will be monitored in their fecal samples (qPCR). Fecal samples will be collected before the start (Day 1), during (Day 7-9) and at the end (Day 14) of the intervention using a stool collection kit (Sigma). Participants will complete our GI health questionnaire on a weekly basis to determine tolerance to increased chickpea intake. An open ended questionnaire will be administered after participants have completed the short-term study protocol to assess any issues with compliance to chickpea intake. All individuals that increased their chickpea intake from their usual diet by at least 3 servings/week will be included in the analysis.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: