New studies on the benefits of eating pulse crops

Winnipeg, MB – Pulse Canada has awarded $1.25 million in new funding for human clinical trials studying the health benefits of eating pulse crops, including peas, beans and lentils. Part of the Pulse Innovation Project, the funding supports five major studies, including two at the University of Manitoba that have been awarded a total of close to $500,000.

Peter Jones, director of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals and Canada Research Chair in nutrition and functional foods, leads one study that has been awarded $250,000. This clinical trial will examine the effects of consuming pulse crops on blood cholesterol levels and other parameters related to diabetes, obesity and cancer.
The project also involves Trust Beta, food science, Curtis Rempel from the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, and Linda Malcolmson from the Canadian International Grains Institute.

The second clinical trial is led by Peter Zahradka, physiology, director of the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine at the St Boniface General Hospital Research Centre. This study has received $246,000 to look at the effects of daily pulse consumption on cardiovascular health, with a particular focus on blood vessel function and the prevention of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

Pulse Canada is a national industry association that represents provincial pulse grower groups from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and members of the pulse trade from across Canada.