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Overview

The Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses

The Coalition for Advancement of Pulses (CAP) is an initiative led by the American Pulse Association (APA) with support from the USA Pulses (USA Pulses), the Pulse Foundation, the U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC), and the U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association and represents a collective of pulse crop growers, processors, manufacturers, and related organizations. The Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses is committed to increasing the consumption of pulses in the United States by increasing research on the nutritional benefits of pulses and growing awareness about the many health benefits of pulses.


For more information, please contact CAP@USAPULSES.ORG.

CAP Research

The following new research adds to the extensive established body of evidence that showcases the multiple benefits of including pulses as part of a healthy diet. These studies were funded by the Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses.

Swapping Pulses for Common Proteins and Grains Improves American Diet

A recently published study in Nutrients, an open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal, demonstrates that exchanging pulses for small amounts of typical protein sources and refined grains significantly improves the nutritional profile of the American diet.  Researchers modeled the nutritional impact of substituting servings of protein foods and/or refined grains with servings of pulses (e.g. dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, dry beans) while keeping calo …

Eating Beans and Chickpeas is Linked to Better Diet Quality
and Healthier Body Weight

A recently published study in Nutrition Journal, an open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal, demonstrates that eating beans (including canned and/or dry packaged kidney beans, black beans, and/or pinto beans) and chickpeas is associated with greater intake of shortfall nutrients, including nutrients of public health concern, and significantly higher diet quality scores. Additionally, the study finds that bean and/or chickpea consumption is associated …

Adding Pulses can Lead to Improved Shortfall Nutrient Intakes and a Higher Diet Quality in American Adults

A study published in Maturitas highlights the health benefits of eating more pulses, like beans and chickpeas, to improve diet quality. Using data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers found that adding one or two servings of beans or chickpeas to typical American diets significantly increased the intake of key shortfall nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, and iron, and improved overall diet quality by up to 20%. The stud …

Pulse Consumption Linked to Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease

A scoping review published in Nutrients highlights the health benefits of pulses, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas, in managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and improving cardiovascular health. The review examined 30 studies and found that pulse consumption improves key cardiovascular biomarkers, including LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, and supports better glycemic control. Pulses were shown to lower the risk of heart disease and improve insulin …