Bean message wins FDA approval
benefits of beans, meaning that labels on bean cans and packets may
carry the words 'diets including beans may reduce your risk of
heart disease and certain cancers'.
The American Dry Bean Board (ADBB) proposed the message by submitting a letter of intent to the FDA in which it drew attention to scientific evidence relating beans, pulses and legumes to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancers of the lung, colon, esophagus and stomach.
"Although no one substance is clearly responsible for these health benefits, beans contain many important nutrients known to promote health - like fiber, micronutrients and antioxidants - and none of the nutrients that can have adverse effects - like saturated fat and cholesterol," it said.
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans announced last month recommend that people consume three cups of beans per week - that is, three times the amount they are currently eating.
"In many parts of the world beans are an important dietary staple, but Americans are not eating enough," said Stacey Zawel, executive director of the Beans for Health Alliance who played a pivotal role in liaising with the FDA on behalf of the bean industry.
Dietary guidance messages were introduced by the FDA's Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative to communicate to consumers the importance of including certain foods in the diet.
Currently only one other dietary guidance message is used by the food industry, which states: 'diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases'.
The ADBB also drew attention to scientific studies suggesting that eating beans as part of a healthy diet could help consumers manage diabetes and help cut the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). More than 70 million Americans suffer from one or more type of cardiovascular disease, which accounted for 38 percent of deaths in 2002.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 570,280 Americans will die of all types of cancer in 2005 (25 percent of all deaths and the second biggest killer) and that 1,372,910 new cases will be diagnosed in 2005.
This year, the AHA estimates that 70,000 Americans will suffer a stroke - that is, one every 45 seconds - making it America's number three killer.The AHA also cites an 'explosive increase' in prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the American population.
