Bean Supplementation for Colon Health

Overseen By Hisham Hussan, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Must not be taking: Opioids, Anti-inflammatories, Antibiotics, others

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Gastrointestinal disease, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 4 weeks

25 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Beans are a forgotten staple food that shows promise in improving health. The goal of this study is to look at how bean supplementation affects metabolic and bowel health. In the long-term, the investigators believe this research will lead to a better understanding of the impact of beans on bowel health. The investigators also hope that this research study will help us understand ways to improve human diet and prevent colon cancer in the future.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes people who use opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, prebiotics, or probiotics regularly. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Bush's Best Cannellini Beans, Cannellini Beans, White Kidney Beans for colon health?

Research shows that beans, including white kidney beans, are rich in fiber and can improve gut health by increasing beneficial gut bacteria and reducing inflammation. Studies also suggest that regular bean consumption may help prevent colon issues like polyps and reduce the severity of colitis, an inflammatory condition of the colon. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is bean supplementation safe for human consumption?

Beans, including cannellini and other varieties, are generally safe for human consumption and provide beneficial dietary fiber, which can improve colon function. They have been studied for their potential health benefits, including reducing cancer risk, without any significant safety concerns reported. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How is the treatment with Bush's Best Cannellini Beans unique for colon health?

Bush's Best Cannellini Beans are unique for colon health because they contain nondigestible fermentable components and phenolic compounds that enhance gut health by increasing beneficial short-chain fatty acids and improving gut barrier integrity, which can reduce inflammation and colitis severity. Unlike other treatments, these beans offer a natural dietary approach to support colon health and potentially prevent colorectal cancer. ^{2 4 5 6 8}

Research Team

Hisham Hussan, MD

Principal Investigator

UC Davis

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 35-75 who are overweight or obese and scheduled for a routine colonoscopy. It's not suitable for those with bean intolerance, high bean consumption, pregnancy plans, gastrointestinal diseases like IBD, cancer history, or significant health conditions such as heart disease.

Inclusion Criteria

My BMI is 25 or higher, indicating I am overweight or obese.

I am scheduled for a routine colonoscopy for colon cancer screening.

I am between 35 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have or had cancer, including colorectal cancer that might be inherited.

I haven't taken opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, or probiotics regularly in the last month.

I have a serious health condition or abnormal blood tests.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a bean smoothie intervention or continue with their usual diet for 2 weeks before and after colonoscopy

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person), 1 visit (on the day of colonoscopy)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including collection of various samples and data

2-12 weeks

1-2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Bush's Best Cannellini Beans

Trial Overview The study examines the effects of adding Bush's Best Cannellini Beans to the usual diet on metabolic and bowel health in hopes of improving diets and preventing colon cancer.

Participant Groups

Group I: Usual diet then bean smoothie Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants first receive 2 weeks of usual diet before colonoscopy. After colonoscopy, they add bean smoothie to usual diet for 2 weeks

Group II: Bean smoothie then usual diet Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants first receive 2 weeks of adding bean smoothie to usual diet before colonoscopy. After colonoscopy, they receive usual diet for 2 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Findings from Research

Frequent and long-term consumption of legume seeds, like red kidney beans, significantly increases dietary fiber intake, leading to greater fecal output and higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in feces.

Despite no differences in colonic function between habitual and infrequent legume consumers, the addition of beans to both diets improved colonic health by providing beneficial fiber and influencing fecal characteristics positively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of frequent and long-term bean consumption on colonic function and fermentation. Fleming, SE., O'Donnell, AU., Perman, JA.[2018]

In a 28-day dietary intervention trial with 16 adults (7 non-cancer and 9 CRC survivors), the inclusion of 35 grams of cooked navy bean powder in meals was feasible and led to significant increases in fiber intake, particularly for CRC survivors.

Non-cancer participants showed a significant decrease in total caloric intake after four weeks, suggesting that navy bean powder can be a beneficial addition to diets for both cancer prevention and overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Increased Navy Bean Powder Consumption for Primary and Secondary Colorectal Cancer Prevention. Borresen, EC., Gundlach, KA., Wdowik, M., et al.[2021]

The BE GONE trial is investigating whether increasing the intake of pre-cooked, canned dry beans can improve metabolic health and reduce cancer risk in overweight/obese patients with a history of colorectal polyps or cancer, using a randomized crossover design with 16 weeks of monitoring.

This study aims to understand how dietary changes, specifically the addition of dry beans, affect the gut microbiome and related health markers, potentially offering a scalable prevention strategy against colorectal cancer and other obesity-related diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The BE GONE trial study protocol: a randomized crossover dietary intervention of dry beans targeting the gut microbiome of overweight and obese patients with a history of colorectal polyps or cancer. Zhang, X., Browman, G., Siu, W., et al.[2023]

Incorporating cooked navy bean powder into a high-fat diet for obese mice significantly improved intestinal health and reduced inflammation, as indicated by changes in the fecal microbiome and increased expression of intestinal health markers.

While switching to a low-fat diet also reduced body weight, it did not improve intestinal health or inflammation as effectively as the high-fat diet supplemented with beans, suggesting that beans can enhance health outcomes even in the context of an obesogenic diet.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Navy Bean Supplementation in Established High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Attenuates the Severity of the Obese Inflammatory Phenotype. Monk, JM., Wu, W., Lepp, D., et al.[2021]

In a study with healthy mice, diets supplemented with kidney beans significantly improved gut health by increasing beneficial short-chain fatty acids and enhancing gut barrier integrity, as indicated by higher levels of MUC1 and Relmβ mRNA expression.

During induced colitis, kidney bean diets reduced disease severity and colonic damage while lowering pro-inflammatory markers and enhancing antimicrobial gene expression, demonstrating their potential to mitigate inflammation and support gut health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

White and dark kidney beans reduce colonic mucosal damage and inflammation in response to dextran sodium sulfate. Monk, JM., Zhang, CP., Wu, W., et al.[2020]

The bioaccessible fraction of cooked Cannellino and Piattellino bean extracts significantly induces cell death in colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and HCT116) through autophagy, demonstrating potential anticancer properties.

At a concentration of 100 μg/mL, these bean extracts reduced cell vitality by over 86% and clonogenicity by up to 96%, indicating their selective effectiveness against colon cancer cells.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In vitro Digestion of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Cooked Beans Induces Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells. Bernardi, C., Macrì, G., Biagi, M., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 53 male F344 rats, those fed a diet of dry beans developed significantly fewer colon tumors compared to those fed a casein diet, indicating that dry beans may have protective effects against colon cancer.

The bean diet not only resulted in fewer rats developing tumors (24% vs. 50% in casein-fed rats) but also showed a lower average number of tumors per rat, suggesting that dry beans contain compounds that inhibit colon carcinogenesis, although the specific components responsible remain unidentified.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dry beans inhibit azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats. Hughes, JS., Ganthavorn, C., Wilson-Sanders, S.[2018]

The newly recognized Italian bean variety 'Fagiola di Venanzio' is rich in proteins, sugars, and polyphenols, which contribute to its potential health benefits.

In vitro studies show that extracts from 'Fagiola di Venanzio' exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, particularly against colon cancer cells, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to a health-promoting diet.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Venanzio Grown in Tuscany: Chemical Composition and In Vitro Investigation of Potential Effects on Colorectal Cancer. Finetti, F., Biagi, M., Ercoli, J., et al.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of frequent and long-term bean consumption on colonic function and fermentation. [2018]

2. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Increased Navy Bean Powder Consumption for Primary and Secondary Colorectal Cancer Prevention. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The BE GONE trial study protocol: a randomized crossover dietary intervention of dry beans targeting the gut microbiome of overweight and obese patients with a history of colorectal polyps or cancer. [2023]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Navy Bean Supplementation in Established High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Attenuates the Severity of the Obese Inflammatory Phenotype. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

White and dark kidney beans reduce colonic mucosal damage and inflammation in response to dextran sodium sulfate. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In vitro Digestion of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Cooked Beans Induces Autophagy in Colon Cancer Cells. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dry beans inhibit azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats. [2018]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Venanzio Grown in Tuscany: Chemical Composition and In Vitro Investigation of Potential Effects on Colorectal Cancer. [2020]