Effects of non-soy legume protein on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Meta-analysis reveals non-soy legume protein does not alter overall lipids in hypercholesterolemic adults, indicating potential benefits may be restricted to specific subgroups.
Key Points
To assess the effects of non-soy legume protein intake on lipid parameters among hypercholesterolemic adults.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials comprising 297 hypercholesterolemic adults across 8 treatment arms identified via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science through September 2025 (PROSPERO CRD420251045801).
Estimated weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lipid changes using random- or fixed-effects models, with certainty of evidence graded via GRADE.
Non-soy legume protein showed no overall significant effects on TG (WMD: 0.895 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.980 to 3.769), TC (WMD: -2.251 mg/dL; 95% CI: -4.693 to 0.192), LDL-C (WMD: -1.533 mg/dL; 95% CI: -3.575 to 0.509), or HDL-C (WMD: 0.187 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.614 to 0.988).
Subgroup analyses showed significant TC reductions in adults over 50 years (WMD: -8.27 mg/dL; 95% CI: -16.41 to -0.12) and BMI < 28 kg/m² (WMD: -5.18 mg/dL; 95% CI: -9.28 to -1.08), as well as significant LDL-C reductions for BMI < 28 kg/m² (WMD: -2.94 mg/dL; 95% CI: -5.87 to -0.01), with very low GRADE certainty across all outcomes.