Features Agronomy Pulses
British Journal of Nutrition Highlights Growing Body of Evidence in Pulse Nutrition Research

September 6, 2012, Winnipeg, MB - A special supplement to the highly regarded British Journal of Nutrition (BJN) adds further evidence to the importance of “eating your peas”.  BJN Volume 108, Supplement S1, “The Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Pulses for Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer”, features 16 new articles including both reviews and original research, focused on the latest developments in pulse nutrition and health.

“Pulses and pulse ingredients, including whole pulses, split pulses, pulse flours and pulse fractions (protein starch, fibre and bioactive components) offer an abundance of nutritional advantages relevant to chronic disease and health issues of global concern,” notes Dr. Julianne Curran, Director of Research, Science & Regulatory Affairs with Pulse Canada in the supplement’s preface.

“It is powerful to have all of this work documented in one place.  This supplement shows that there is a considerable amount of research being done to determine specific health benefits of pulse consumption and for the first time pulse fractions like fibre, protein and starch are part of the mix.  It is this type of research that will help support future health claims for pulses, which will provide consumers and food companies with the confidence and knowledge of the true health benefits of pulses and pulse ingredients,” says Tanya Der, Manager of Food Innovation & Marketing with Pulse Canada.

Highlights of the supplement include research conducted on the positive health impacts that pulse and pulse fraction consumption can have on blood sugar control, weight management and satiety, cardiovascular disease and cancer.  Surveys on current levels of pulse consumption are also included.  A full listing of the supplement’s articles can be viewed online at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?iid=8675308

The supplement was overseen by guest editors Dr. Carla Taylor (University of Manitoba, Canada), Dr. Martine Champ (University Nantes/INRA, France), and Dr. Jon Buckley (University of South Australia, Australia), and the managing editor for the special issue was Dr. Carol Ann Patterson (Pathfinders Research & Management, Saskatoon, Canada).  Articles include results from research conducted in Canada, the United States, Mexico, India, the EU and Australia.

Papers included in the supplement were accepted by at least two peer-reviews followed by final approval of the three co-editors and the editor of BJN.

This special supplement, coordinated by Pulse Canada, follows an earlier special issue of the BJN entitled "Pulses and Human Health" (Volume 88, Supplement Number 3)  published in 2002. The previous supplement included reports from experts who were involved in a 2001 meeting to discuss the state of research on ‘Pulses and Human Health’. “It has been a decade since the last supplement was published, and the body of evidence for pulses and human health research has grown significantly in that time.  We are pleased with the breadth of information available in this new edition,” says Der.

September 11, 2012  By Pulse Canada