Legume-enriched, multicomponent calorie-restricted diet improves metabolic health in Chinese prediabetics through modulation of gut microbiome. FBIP

Healthy dietary patterns are effective in improving metabolic health, but their additional benefits as part of a calorie-restricted diet is not well-established. We investigated effects of a calorie-restricted, legume-rich, low-glycemic index (GI) diet, with spices and healthy oil blends (‘intervention diet’) on metabolic outcomes and gut microbiota, compared with a control diet. A 16-week, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 127 Chinese prediabetics (aged 62.2 ± 6.3 years, BMI 23.8 ± 2.6 kg/m2). Body composition, glycemic and lipid markers, gut microbiome and microbial metabolites were assessed at 2 or 4-weekly intervals. At the end of 16 weeks, the intervention group had significantly greater reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and HbA1c, alongside changes gut microbiome, especially fiber degraders, mediated through metabolites such as bile acids and amino acids. A low GI, legume-rich intervention diet can improve cardiometabolic risk factors in a prediabetic population on top of calorie restriction alone.