Low GI Pulses May Reduce Diabetes

PURENet Develops Plant Breeds, Lentil Variety

Like lentils, peas, and beans? These foods may have health benefits, currently being uncovered by the Pulse Research Network, or PURENet.

PURENet's mission is to develop and expand the use of pulses. The program is based on three modules: bioproducts, feedstocks and cropping systems. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) administers PURENet, Pulse Canada governs it, and millions of federal dollars fund it.

PURENet participates with 6 Canadian universities, three federal research organizations, one international university and 55 co-investigators who work on 21 pulse research projects. Most importantly, PURENet research could identify pulse crops as a scientifically-proven healthy food.

In the 1980s, University of Toronto nutrition researcher David Jenkins discovered the glycemic index (GI). The index rates foods based on how fast carbohydrates are released into the bloodstream during digestion. Foods that score lower than 55 are considered to be low; 55 to 70 are considered intermediate; 70 and above is high on the index.

The sugar rush you get from eating a doughnut is the result of its carbohydrates being released quickly into the blood when digested. Doughnuts score high on the GI: 76. Pulses, on the other hand, are low. Dry green lentils prepared in boiling water are rated at 37. Lentils release energy slowly so it does not spike blood sugar levels.

Research in GI is of significant interest to pulse growers. Studies indicate that diabetes and heart disease are strongly related to the GI of one's overall diet, according to the University of Sydney's website. Diabetes alone affects nearly a quarter of a billion people worldwide and heart disease kills more Canadians than any other illness.

PURENet's research involves David Jenkins who is leading a project on the effect of pulses on people with type 2 Diabetes.

"Having Jenkins as part of the program is a coup," says Kofi Agblor, SPG's Director of Research. "Jenkins lab is well-known and his research is published in United States medical association journals and top peer-reviewed journals," Agblor explains.

"If PURENet's research confirms that pulses do have positive effects on heart disease and diabetes, peas and lentils could be included in portfolio diets," says Agblor. Portfolio diets are eating plans composed of low GI foods and are proven to reduce cholesterol just as effectively as pharmaceuticals.

"We feel the impact will be profound if we can use (the research) well in the market place," he notes. "PURENet also tackles an area it calls novel food applications. Several of these research projects will try to determine how pulse flours may be incorporated into other foods. PURENet projects will examine aspects of milling flour, and how that flour may be used in baking, meat processing, beverages and desserts. Flour is one of the easiest ways of getting pulses to be used," Agblor says.

Aside from studying pulses and health, PURENet's research is also directed at understanding pulse genomics. "The research is focused on the nutrition of the seed," says Agblor. PURENet's research investment will give scientists the next generation of tools to help conventional plant breeders more successfully breed pulse varieties.

PURENet's research is underway and will wrap up in the fall of 2011. SPG funding has led to successful research, resulting in a lucrative and growing industry.