Early research is also looking at the use of non-toxic low amounts of certain lectins to help stimulate gut cell growth in patients who are unable to eat for long periods, and in anticancer treatments due to the ability of lectins to cause cancer cell death. They also slow down digestion and the absorption of carbohydrates, which may prevent sharp rises in blood sugar and high insulin levels. Lectins can act as an antioxidant, which protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. Because the reported symptoms of lectin sensitivity are recognizable with physical discomfort, a reasonable solution may be to eat less of or less often the foods that cause digestive problems. It is possible that one who has an underlying digestive sensitivity, such as irritable bowel syndrome, may be more likely to experience negative symptoms from eating lectins and other anti-nutrients. There are different types of lectins in different foods, and the reactions people have to them vary widely. Other processes that deactivate the compounds are sprouting grains and beans, and mechanically removing the outer hull of beans and wheat grains that contain the most lectins. The body can produce enzymes during digestion that degrades some lectins. However, raw beans simmered at low heat such as in a slow-cooker or undercooking the beans will not remove all the lectins. Canned beans are cooked and packaged in liquid, so they are also low in lectins. To prepare them for eating, they are soaked for several hours and then boiled for several more hours to soften the bean, which disables the action of lectins. Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them.Īn example is dried beans. Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. One reason is that lectins are most potent in their raw state, and foods containing them are not typically eaten raw. It is important to remember that eating foods with a high amount of active lectins is rare. Anti-nutrients including lectins are most often studied in the diets of developing countries where malnutrition is prevalent, or where food variety is very limited and whole grains and legumes are important daily staples. However, there is very limited research in humans on the amount of active lectins consumed in the diet and their long-term health effects. These theories have fueled the profitable anti-lectin movement, spawning bestselling books and enzyme supplements to prevent lectin activity in the body. Because lectin proteins bind to cells for long periods of time, they can potentially cause an autoimmune response and are theorized to play a role in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. This may disrupt the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, and affect the growth and action of intestinal flora. Lectins can also bind to cells lining the digestive tract. Legumes and cereals often contain these minerals, so the concurrent presence of lectins may prevent the absorption and use of these minerals in the body. Milder side effects include bloating and gas.Īnimal and cell studies have found that active lectins can interfere with the absorption of minerals, especially calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. It can also produce nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea. They contain phytohaemagglutinin, a type of lectin that can cause red blood cells to clump together. The most publicized accounts report severe reactions in people eating even small amounts of raw or undercooked kidney beans. When consumed, lectins in their active state can cause negative side effects. They resist being broken down in the gut and are stable in acidic environments, features that protect lectin-containing plants in nature. The same features that lectins use to defend plants in nature may cause problems during human digestion. Lectins are defined as proteins that bind to carbohydrates. Is there truth behind these claims? The Problem With Lectins They are found in all plants, but raw legumes (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts) and whole grains like wheat contain the highest amounts of lectins. Lectins, or hemagglutinins, are an “ anti-nutrient” that have received much attention due to popular media and fad diet books citing lectins as a major cause for obesity, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |