Effect of Lentils and Chickpeas on Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Health

The Effect of Regular Lentil and Chickpea Intake on Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Health in Healthy Young Adults: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the effect of daily whole-cooked chickpea and lentil consumption for 8-weeks on gut health, including microbiome-metabolome arrays and gut epithelial/barrier function, in healthy young adults.

Secondary Objectives include:

• To examine the effect of daily whole-cooked chickpea and lentil consumption for 8-weeks on the measures of metabolic health and inflammation in healthy young adults.
• To determine the feasibility of healthy young adults to successfully incorporate and sustain the recommended daily intake of pulses into their diets for eight consecutive weeks

Research Interventions:

Participants will be asked to consume a normal diet supplemented daily with either A) whole-cooked canned lentils, or B) whole-cooked canned chickpeas. The control condition will be instructed to consume a normal diet while restricting all pulse intake throughout the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 and 30 years old
• Ability to speak and read in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intake of antibiotics in the last 3 months
• Intake of pre/pro/postbiotics in the last 3 months
• Current or past (within the last 6 months) user of tobacco, marijuana, or E-cigarette products
• Cardiovascular disease (heart failure, hypertension, hyper/dyslipidemia, past myocardial infarction)
• Gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis, peptic ulcers, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, fistulas, suspected or known gastric strictures, gastritis, radiation enteritis, GI bleeding, gastric bezoar, recent GI surgery in the last 3 months, etc..),
• Neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, meningitis, recent stroke) or endocrine disorders (uncontrolled thyroid disorders, growth hormone disorders, adrenal gland disorders, uncontrolled or insulin dependent diabetes - A1C > 9%).
• Food allergy to study foods (pulses or soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts)
• Regular consumption of pulses (>1 cup/wk for males; >0.5 cup/wk for females)
• Current heavy alcohol use (≥ 15 drinks / week for men, ≥ 8 drinks / week for women)
• Class 3 Obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2)
• Known to be currently pregnant (self-disclosed).