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(OR21-01-26) Daily Pulse Intake in a DGA-Aligned Diet Increased Ergothioneine and 3-Indoleacrylic Acid, Modulated the Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: A Crossover Feeding RCT

Monday, July 27, 2026
2:30 PM - 2:42 PM ET
Location: Maryland Ballroom C
Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition Graduate Student Research Award Competition

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Bruna O. de Vargas, PhD student (she/her/hers)

    Graduate Research Assistant
    South Dakota State University
    Brookings, South Dakota, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • WS

    Wade Sanders

    University of Michigan, United States

  • MD

    Moul Dey

    South Dakota State University, United States

Disclosure(s):
Bruna O. de Vargas, PhD student: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of pulses as the primary protein source in a Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA)-aligned diet on circulating metabolites, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and gut microbiota composition in older adults.

Methods: This PRODMED1 randomized controlled crossover feeding trial in 60+ years adults provided macronutrient-matched pulse-protein (PPD) and a control meat-protein (MPD) diet for 8-weeks each, separated by a ≥2-week washout. All foods were provided, with primary protein sources (331.6 g/day pulses vs 162 g/day pork) contributing >45% of dietary protein. Fasting glucose (primary outcome), lipids, and other cardiometabolic biomarkers were measured using standardized assays. Microbiome profiles were analyzed by 16S sequencing and circulating metabolites using HILIC-qTOFMS with calibration curves for targeted metabolites. Linear mixed models evaluated within- and between-diet effects; multi-omics outcomes were analyzed using false discovery (FDR) adjustment.

Results: 47 adults (60–88 years, 72.3% females, BMI 28.6±5.4kg/m²) completed both diet phases and were included in analyses. Distinct circulating metabolite signatures were observed between diets (p < 0.001). Specifically, the longevity-associated ergothioneine and the gut-associated 3-indoleacrylic acid increased following PPD (6-fold and 3-fold; FDR-adjusted p < 0.05) and were strongly correlated (r=0.70, p< 0.001). Gut microbiota alpha and beta diversity remained unchanged (all p >0.05) while both interventions reduced taxa typically suppressed by high-fiber diets (~51–70%; FDR-adj p< 0.05). Additionally, DGA-aligned diets improved insulin (−25% PPD vs −27% MPD), glucose (−5% PPD vs −4% MPD), HOMA-IR (-27% PPD vs -30% MPD), C-peptide (-16% PPD vs -18% MPD), triglycerides (−11% PPD vs −15% MPD), and ApoB (−17% PPD vs −13% MPD) (all p< 0.05, no between-diet differences).

Conclusions: DGA-aligned diets improved cardiometabolic biomarkers in older adults regardless of protein source. Incorporating pulses induced a distinct metabolic signature characterized by increased ergothioneine and 3-indoleacrylic acid, a potent host cytoprotectant and a microbial aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, respectively, suggesting novel gut-host targets of pulse intake for healthy aging.

Funding Sources: USDA (PCHI, Hatch)