Effect of Lentils and Chickpeas on Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Health

Launched by FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY · Apr 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how eating lentils and chickpeas every day for eight weeks can affect gut health and overall metabolic health in healthy young adults. The researchers want to see if these foods can help improve the balance of good bacteria in the gut and reduce inflammation, which can contribute to better health. Participants in the study will either eat whole-cooked lentils or chickpeas daily while continuing their normal diet, or they will not eat any pulses (the group that does not eat lentils or chickpeas is called the control group).

To join the study, you need to be between 18 and 30 years old and be able to read and speak English. Some people, such as those with certain health conditions or those who have used specific medications recently, won’t be eligible to participate. If you decide to join, you'll be asked to keep track of how well you can add these foods to your daily meals for two months. The study is currently recruiting participants, and it’s a great opportunity to explore how these nutritious foods can impact your gut and overall health!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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).