Gastrointestinal Tolerance to Daily Canned Chickpea Intake.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Consumption of pulses is recommended to improve diet quality and decrease the risk of chronic disease. However, their constituent α-galactosides, including raffinose, are commonly thought to contribute to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.

METHODS:

Using a random crossover design, healthy adults (n = 12) received control foods, control foods with 5 g raffinose, and foods with 200 g of canned chickpea (11 g fibre per day), each for three weeks following a 3-day diet rotation. Gastrointestinal symptoms (rating 0 = none to 3 = severe), compliance, and stool frequency were recorded daily.

RESULTS:

No change in daily stool frequency (mean ± SD) was found with chickpea (1.7 ± 0.3) or raffinose (1.7 ± 0.4) compared with control (1.5 ± 0.3). Reported flatulence (mean ± SD) was rated higher with chickpea (1.0 ± 0.2, P < 0.001) and raffinose (0.7 ± 0.2, P < 0.001) compared with control (0.4 ± 0.1). Although bloating was infrequent, ratings were higher with chickpea (0.2 ± 0.1, P < 0.001) and raffinose (0.3 ± 0.1, P < 0.001) compared with control (0.0). No differences were found for diarrhea or abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONS:

As gastrointestinal symptoms were mild for most participants, canned chickpea may be a feasible way of increasing pulse intake and improving overall diet quality.

• Authors: Wendy J Dahl, Abdulah Hanifi, Gordon A Zello, Robert T Tyler
• Journal: Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research : a publication of Dietitians of Canada = Revue canadienne de la pratique et de la recherche en dietetique : une publication des Dietetistes du Canada (Can J Diet Pract Res) Vol. 75 Issue 4 Pg. 218-21 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1486-3847 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 26067078 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fiber
• Raffinose

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cicer (adverse effects)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Dietary Fiber (adverse effects)
• Female
• Flatulence (etiology)
• Food, Preserved (adverse effects)
• Functional Food (adverse effects)
• Gastric Mucosa (immunology, physiopathology)
• Gastroenteritis (etiology, immunology, physiopathology)
• Gastrointestinal Tract (immunology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Patient Compliance
• Raffinose (adverse effects)
• Seeds (adverse effects)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Young Adult