Traditional bean and rice meals reduce postprandial glycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes

This study examined the effect of consuming pinto, black, and dark red kidney beans with white rice in comparison to a white rice placebo meal on the glycemic response of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). These bean and rice combinations are part of many traditional diets. Seventeen subjects with T2DM treated by diet and/or metformin were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: white rice (placebo), pinto beans/rice, black beans/rice, and dark red kidney beans/rice. All treatments were portioned by weight and matched for available carbohydrate content of ~50 grams. Capillary whole blood samples were collected at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes posttreatment and assessed for glucose concentration using the YSI Stat Plus Analyzer. Net change glucose responses were significantly lower for the pinto, black, and dark red kidney bean and rice meals than placebo at 90, 120 and 150 minutes posttreatment (p<.05). Incremental area under the curve values were also significantly reduced for the bean/rice meals containing pinto (p<.01) and black beans (p<.05) in contrast to the rice control. Results suggest that the combination of whole beans and rice may be beneficial to those with T2DM to assist with blood glucose management. Research was supported by the US Dry Bean Council and the Arizona State University GPSA Research Support Program. Beans were donated by Bush Brothers & Co., Knoxville, TN. Grant Funding Source : US Dry Bean Council, Arizona State University GPSA Research Support Program