A recent analysis of data from the Western Australia-based Reign study indicates that two vegetable groups—legumes and cruciferous vegetables—are crucial in safeguarding young individuals against early cardiometabolic risks. However, the benefits differ significantly between men and women.
McNamara et al. Higher intakes of legumes and cruciferous vegetables are linked to decreased odds of cardiometabolic risk in young adults, revealing significant gender differences. Image credit: Silvia Rita
Research shows that not all vegetables contribute equally to cardiometabolic health.
Particular vegetable groups exhibit stronger correlations with enhanced cardiometabolic health outcomes among adults.
However, studies exploring these relationships in younger populations are limited.
“What you eat now plays a crucial role. Incorporating these vegetables into your daily diet can greatly impact longevity and quality of life,” emphasizes Dr. Lauren Breckenhorst, a researcher at Edith Cowan University.
In this study, Dr. Breckenhorst and her team analyzed data from 638 participants in the Longitudinal Reign Study, an Australian cohort tracked from prenatal stages.
At 22 years old, participants completed an in-depth dietary questionnaire and underwent tests for blood pressure, waist circumference, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels. These markers are indicative of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that heightens the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Approximately one in five participants fell into the high-risk category, showing two or more concerning markers.
Dr. Therese O’Sullivan from Edith Cowan University noted, “These risk factors are emerging earlier than most people would anticipate.”
When researchers categorized vegetable intake (including allium, cruciferous, green and yellow vegetables, legumes, and colored vegetables), distinct patterns emerged based on gender.
Men in the low-risk category consumed significantly more legumes—like peas, beans, and lentils—compared to their high-risk counterparts.
After adjusting for variables such as income, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other dietary factors, men who added just one more serving (about 75 grams) of legumes daily were 72% less likely to be in the high-risk group.
For women, cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, demonstrated the strongest correlation with lower cardiometabolic risk.
Women in the low-risk group consumed more of these vegetables, and each additional daily serving decreased their odds of being at high risk by about 85%, after adjustments.
Women in the low-risk category also consumed more green and yellow vegetables, although this association did not hold true when other factors were controlled.
“It’s not simply about loading up on greens,” explains Dr. Neil McNamara from Edith Cowan University.
“The clear gender differences—beans for men and broccoli for women—emerged as the standout foods.”
“Our findings indicate that men and women may metabolize certain nutrients and plant compounds from vegetables distinctly,” Dr. O’Sullivan added.
“For instance, natural compounds in legumes might have a more significant impact on testosterone, while compounds in cruciferous vegetables could more greatly influence female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.”
These findings will be published in the August 2026 issue of the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease.
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Neil McNamara et al. (2026). Higher intake of legumes and cruciferous vegetables is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk in young adults: a cross-sectional study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease 36 (8): 104709; doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2026.104709
Source: www.sci.news