Author Identifier (ORCID)
Neal McNamara: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3081-9782
Lauren C. Blekkenhorst: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1561-9052
Therese A. O'Sullivan: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1003-854X
Abstract
Background and aims: Evidence suggests not all vegetables are the same for cardiometabolic health. Intake of specific vegetable groups exhibit significantly stronger associations with improved cardiometabolic health outcomes in adult populations. Few studies have investigated these relationships in young adults. This study aimed to investigate the relative contributions of specific vegetable groups to cardiometabolic risk in a cohort of young adults. Methods and results: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in participants from the Western Australia-based Raine Study (n = 638) at the 22-year follow-up. Using a food frequency questionnaire, vegetables were grouped into allium, cruciferous, green leafy, legumes, and yellow-orange-red. Participants were classified as high-metabolic risk if ≥ 2 risk factors exceeded metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria according to the International Diabetes Federation. Mann Whitney-U tests and logistic regressions examined the relationship between vegetable groups and cardiometabolic risk (high vs low). 638 participants (53% female) aged 22.1yrs (±0.6yrs) were included. Significant differences were found between low- and high-risk groups for dietary intake (per serve; 75g/day) of legumes in males and cruciferous and green leafy vegetables in females. After adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle and dietary covariates, higher legume intake remained a significant predictor for lower odds of cardiometabolic risk for males (OR = 0.278, 95%CI = 0.088–0.883, p = 0.030), whilst cruciferous intake remained significant for females (OR = 0.151, 95%CI = 0.023–0.999, p = 0.049). Conclusion: Our results suggest higher intakes of legumes and cruciferous vegetables are associated with lower odds of cardiometabolic risk in young adults, with significant sex differences.
Keywords
Allium, cruciferous, green leafy, legumes, metabolic syndrome, Raine study, vegetables, yellow-orange-red, young adults
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
PubMed ID
42000251
Publication Title
Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases
Publisher
Elsevier
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
The NHMRC and the Raine Medical Research Foundation for their long-term contribution to funding the study over the last 30 years.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
McNamara, N., Blekkenhorst, L. C., Mori, T. A., Beilin, L. J., & O’Sullivan, T. A. (2026). Higher legume and cruciferous vegetable intakes are associated with lower cardiometabolic risk in young adults: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2026.104709