ABSTRACT
Legumes have been shown to protect against the development of type 2 diabetes [T2D]. Previous work has focused on the impact of legumes on the glycemic index with little attention given to other physiological changes. Considerable evidence also demonstrates that exercise is beneficial for diabetic individuals. This study sought to determine the individual and synergistic effects of a legume diet and exercise on indices of T2D and tested the hypothesis that the synergy of these factors would protect against typical changes in glycemic hormones and lipids across the weight gain and insulin resistant stage of development in genetically obese rats. Fatty Zucker [fa/fa] rats, 6-7 wks of age were assigned to one of four treatment groups [n = 10/group]; 1] tepary bean diet and exercise [TE], 2] tepary bean diet [T], 3] control diet and exercise [CE], 4] control diet [C]. A legume diet and exercise [TE] resulted in significantly less weight gain [126 g vs. 222 g in [C]] and lower body mass compared to animals in other treatment groups. The interaction of [TE] also resulted in significantly lower serum insulin compared to [C] animals across the study period. Diet [T] alone, significantly decreased serum triglycerides and cholesterol relative to [C] animals. Our results indicate that a tepary bean diet, with exercise, can decrease typical changes in weight gain, glycemia and lipid profile in fa/fa rats. The adoption of such a program in individuals showing signs of T2D would also likely serve to protect against these physiological changes