Consumption patterns of legumes, nuts and seeds among healthy adults: a cross-sectional study


ÖZYÜREK ARPA F., Sezer Karataş F. E., SALEKİ N., PEHLİVAN M., HIZLI GÜLDEMİR H.

Nutrition and Food Science, ss.1-18, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1108/nfs-02-2026-0074
  • Dergi Adı: Nutrition and Food Science
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-18
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Consumption, Legumes, Nuts, Oilseeds, Plant-based diet
  • Anadolu Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose – Legumes and nuts are increasingly promoted as plant-based protein sources, yet detailed data on which specific products are consumed remain scarce. This study aims to assess consumption patterns of legumes, nuts and oilseeds among healthy adults. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study was conducted with 3,411 healthy adults (men n = 1,668[48.9%]; women n = 1,743[51.1%]; mean age 37.6 ± 13.9 y). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and consumption of legumes, nuts and oilseeds were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Findings – Legume consumption prevalence was higher among women (93.7%) than men (90.5%), whereas total monthly legume intake was higher in men (1,293 ± 979 g/mo) than women (1,134 ± 789 g/mo; p < 0.001). White beans were the most commonly consumed legume (86.7%), followed by red lentils (85.9%) and chickpeas (84.1%); mean chickpea intake was 246 ± 235 g/mo. Total legume intake was weakly correlated with BMI (r = 0.07 and p = 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.13 and p < 0.001) and differed across body mass index (BMI) categories (p = 0.010). Total nut and oilseed intake was correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.07 and p < 0.001) but not with BMI (r = 0.03 and p = 0.13) and did not differ across BMI categories (p = 0.11). All correlations explained less than 2% of the variance and are, therefore, unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Practical implications – These descriptive findings may inform public health efforts to promote dietary diversity and plant-based protein intake; health and sustainability outcomes were not assessed. Originality/value – This study provides item-level data on the prevalence and quantities of specific plant-based protein sources among healthy adults, including legumes consumed within traditional mixed dishes, and identifies marked sex differences.