The Role of Legumes in the Sustainable Mediterranean Diet: Analysis of the Consumption of Legumes in the Mediterranean Population over the Last Ten Years a PRISMA Statement Methodology

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Good work and an interesting topic. There are some suggestions for changes and corrections to clarify some points that are not completely clear.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Revisor #1

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Your thoughtful comments that substantially improved this manuscript. In order to make the article more concise and consistent with the whole subject matter, I have changed some parts as follows. 

• Title:

Although the title suggests that the analysis is from the last 20 years. In the methodology, the cut- off year for articles is from 2012, only 12 years ago. I suggest rewriting the title.

Thank you for this important clarification, I have changed the title to be consistent with the rest of the article.

• Methodology:

Why did the authors only search in Web of Science and Google Scholar? Are there other databases or other metasearch engines that could be useful.

Thank you very much, an additional search engine has been added.

In the outline they mention that 6,330 articles were published between 2012 and 2022. And then they mention that they selected 54 between 2012 and 2023, what year was the cutoff? 2022 or 2023? Did they use PRISMA criteria to screen abstracts? If so, I suggest declaring it, otherwise, I suggest using it.

Thank you. I modified the methodology thanks to this valuable suggestion and added and followed the recommended methodology in the revision.

• Results:

I have one doubt, the title mentions that the analysis is of the Spanish population, but the results show data from studies in Italy, Greece, and other countries with a Mediterranean diet.

I suggest either changing the title to Mediterranean population, or redefining the bibliographic search to data that only includes the Spanish population.

Thank you very much I have changed the title to make it consistent with the whole article.

• Conclusion:

There is a good conclusion, however a sentence is missing from the projections or how they suggest increasing the consumption of a sustainable diet model, which is related to the choice of food.

Thank you for this valuable suggestion, I have added a part concerning future prospects to the final conclusions.

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors present a paper on the important topic of sustainability, but the manuscript had to be revised.

Title

The title should be rewritten to reflect the narrative and research part of the article. It must also reflect the nature of the review.

Abstract

The clear objectives of the two parts of the study are omitted. I suggest rewriting the summary, with the first part (12 – 21 lines) written more concisely. Clearly state the aim of the study and the conclusions.

Introduction

Only a small paragraph refers to legumes (lines 64 – 74) in the content of the Mediterranean diet, which according to the title should be the focus.

At the end of the introduction, the objectives of the study and the scientific question to which the manuscript responds should be clearly defined.

It would be helpful if the authors would indicate in which chapters what was written after the objectives, similar to lines 120 – 125.

Methodology

First, the type of review article must be defined - systematic, scoping or narrative. Then the search protocol must be written according to the type of review. Clear criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of selected articles must be specified.

Figure 1 – Must shows only the schematic sequence of the articles selection, which ends with 102 articles. The statistical data on food consumption and food composition should not be shown in the diagram as there is no data from the articles. It is sufficient to explain them as in lines 96 – 101.

Results

The heading “Results” (line 119) suggests that the results of the article search are presented in the text. I propose deleting the heading “Results” and writing the second headings as the first headings and the third headings as the second headings.

The paragraph “Mediterranean diet as a model of sustainability” (lines 127 – 158) should focus more on the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet, not on its history.

Figure 2 – as in the manuscript where some global data are presented, it would be better if Figure 2 showed the difference in legume production between the different Mediterranean countries or shift the Figure 2 to the legume consumption of the Spanish population.

Line 186 – At this point it would be useful to present a recommendation for the consumption of legumes in the Mediterranean diet and, if available, a recommendation from other Mediterranean countries (food-based dietary guidelines).

Table 1 contains only the composition of the selected legumes, as I assume that they were selected as they are grown in Spain (Figure 2). I suggest moving this table to the section on the consumption of legumes by the Spanish population or adding data on the composition of other legumes (see lines 223-228 for examples).

Conclusion

The conclusion should provide a more concise overall interpretation, especially the part from lines 408 – 436.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The manuscript also requires minor language editing.

Author Response

Reviewer #2

The authors present a paper on the important topic of sustainability, but the manuscript had to be revised.

Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Your thoughtful comments that substantially improved this manuscript. In order to make the article more concise and consistent with the whole subject matter, I have changed some parts as follows.

 

• Title

The title should be rewritten to reflect the narrative and research part of the article. It must also reflect the nature of the review.

Thank you for this important clarification, I have changed the title to be consistent with the rest of the article.

 

• Abstract

The clear objectives of the two parts of the study are omitted. I suggest rewriting the summary, with the first part (12 – 21 lines) written more concisely. Clearly state the aim of the study and the conclusions.

Thank you very much for the suggestion, I have rewritten the summary more concisely by including the objective of the study and the conclusions (lines 12-24).

 

• Introduction

Only a small paragraph refers to legumes (lines 64 – 74) in the content of the Mediterranean diet, which according to the title should be the focus.

Thank you for this indication, I have adjusted the introduction to give more prominence to legumes.

At the end of the introduction, the objectives of the study and the scientific question to which the manuscript responds should be clearly defined.

Thank you, I added the objectives at the end of the introduction.

It would be helpful if the authors would indicate in which chapters what was written after the objectives, similar to lines 120 – 125.

Thank you very much, chapters have been added (lines 113-120).

 

• Methodology

First, the type of review article must be defined - systematic, scoping or narrative. Then the search protocol must be written according to the type of review. Clear criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of selected articles must be specified.

Thank you very much for this clarification, added the type of revision and methodology used (line 71-75).

Figure 1 – Must shows only the schematic sequence of the articles selection, which ends with 102 articles. The statistical data on food consumption and food composition should not be shown in the diagram as there is no data from the articles. It is sufficient to explain them as in lines 96 – 101.

Thank you very much for this suggestion, figure 1 has been modified in relation to the methodology and the part concerning the legume consumption data has been removed.

• Results

The heading “Results” (line 119) suggests that the results of the article search are presented in the text. I propose deleting the heading “Results” and writing the second headings as the first headings and the third headings as the second headings.

Thank you very much, I removed the title results as suggested and changed the other titles

The paragraph “Mediterranean diet as a model of sustainability” (lines 127 – 158) should focus

more on the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet, not on its history.

Thank you, I have removed some parts concerning the historical part.

Figure 2 – as in the manuscript where some global data are presented, it would be better if Figure 2 showed the difference in legume production between the different Mediterranean countries or shift the Figure 2 to the legume consumption of the Spanish population.

Thank you very much for this indication, Figure 2 has been moved to the chapter on Spain population.

Line 186 – At this point it would be useful to present a recommendation for the consumption of legumes in the Mediterranean diet and, if available, a recommendation from other Mediterranean countries (food-based dietary guidelines).

Thank you very much, I have added a very short summary of the guidelines on the consumption of legumes from Spain France Italy and Greece (lines 156-173).

Table 1 contains only the composition of the selected legumes, as I assume that they were selected as they are grown in Spain (Figure 2). I suggest moving this table to the section on the consumption of legumes by the Spanish population or adding data on the composition of other legumes (see lines 223-228 for examples).

Thanks for the indication, the table has been moved to the chapter on Spain population.

 

• Conclusion

The conclusion should provide a more concise overall interpretation, especially the part from lines 408 – 436.

Thank you very much. I tried to make the conclusion more concise.

 

Regarding the Quality of English language, the paper has been reviewed by a professional English editing service.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Abstract

the following wording is a bit awkward and could be made more clear - An analysis was 16 carried out to highlight the changes that have taken place at a conceptual level, which are closely 17 linked to cultural changes, since society often undergoes transformations and therefore lifestyles 18 change, obviously also through food choices.

See 2) making Mediterranean agriculture and market strongest and most (line 46) - should 'the' be placed in front of strongest?

Line 53 - the meaning here is unclear- the symbolic element of the religious universe

Lines 55-56 could be made more clear and concise

Line 56-58 - the definition seems inadequate or inaccurate. "A diet is defined as sus- 56 tainable when it introduces foods of animal and plant origin produced by minimizing the 57 waste of natural resources and which encourages local and seasonal consumption [11]

What of the role of emissions, contributing to global warming and disrupting weather patterns and food yields?

Line 59 -  the production of agricultural systems has increased  - the use of terms here is a bit confusing. Might the authors consider "the formation of agricultural, and often industrial, systems has increased..."?

Line 67 - have a reduced biological value as well as a reduced environmental 67
impact - this reviewer advises the authors that the use of 'reduced biological value' in this context seems inaccurate and inappropriate.

Further edits to English appear necessary. But such detailed editorial review is beyond the role of a peer assessment. I will place my focus on the structure and strength of arguments and conclusions.

Methodology

Lines 92-93 which is why 92 articles published in the last 10 years were also taken into consideration - the authors do not adequately explain the importance of the last 10 years and relationship to sustainable diets

Results

above all to under- 137 stand the biochemical mechanisms that correlate the Mediterranean diet with a healthy 138 lifestyle from every point of view.

Why a focus on biochemical when every point of view is considered (like a systems analysis - involving social, health, environmental, economic, etc.)?

This review would encourage the authors to substitute gender inclusive language in lieu of terms like "man's lifestyle" (line 155).

The following lines are a bit unclear and therefore a bit misleading. More clarity would help. "The choice made at a food level is closely connected to the production context and 156 being aware of this aspect reduces environmental problems. Likewise, foods chosen con- 157 sciously limit health problems [29].

The links between conscious choice and health outcomes should be made more evident.

Lines 170-174 are quite interesting on legumes known in ancient Rome were named after..." This appears to be a valuable story to insert into this paper.

Line 178- might the authors confirm the percentage of legumes produced that are channelled to human food consumption and not animal feed, fuel, or pet foods?

Please explain the meaning on line 196 regarding "It is better to pre- 196 fer prolonged cooking, " -better than what? Is it not better to advise of the importance of prolonged soaking of beans for a curtailed time required for cooking? This seems also to be an element of sustainable consumption.

The nutrition table following line 211 should be labelled and numbered.

Might the authors check the fat associated with lentils. It seems significantly out of alignment with the others legumes listed.  Fat, total (total lipids) g 2.3 6.3 11729 0.4  (Is it also the case for Vit A that lentils are extremely high, along with calcium and iron and so on?)

The world's agricultural production of legumes ranks third after cereals and oilseeds [60]. 232 - is this by volume, by sales, by what measures?

As noted by the authors lines 233-234 legumes produce are used for feed and fodder. Does channelling legumes through animals contribute to sustainability? Does the conversion ratio of feed volumes to amount of animal products produced, suggest significant levels of inefficiency and some waste of natural resources? This seems to contradict the definition initially offered above for sustainable diets.

Line 276 -first use of the word "you". Perhaps it should not be used?

Line 279 jumps out of nutrition right into international agreements. This might require its own paragraph and suitable flow from one theme to another distinct theme

Lin 288-289 - Legumes are foods of undoubted importance 288
in the vegetarian and vegan diet in its various aspects [85].  Are not legumes important in all dietary patterns seeking to be healthier and more sustainable?

Sections 3.1.1; 3.1.2; 3.1.3; seem to include both elements of legume production and consumption (food) and then Section 3.2 moves onto consumption of legumes.  These sections might be formulated into a more cohesive and logical flow.

Lines 403-405 are well stated - It should be underlined that it is essential to work towards sustainable diets, capable of 403 generating a reduced environmental impact, through the commitment of an ever-increas- 404 ing number of countries that incorporate sustainability criteria into their dietary recom- 405 mendations [122].

Conclusion

this sentence seems inaccurate with the volume of literature that points to extensive use of natural resources for the equivalent amount of animal protein compared to plant protein.  "It is therefore important to encourage a greater 411intake of plant products which require an expenditure of environmental resources com- 412  pared to that required by the production of animal proteins. "

Line 420 - the study did not seem to study the area of awareness so extensively, so greater illumination is needed for the sentence, "The new awareness confirms greater attention to legumes"

This sentence also is surprising to read in the conclusion as it was not elucidated in the text of the research. "Despite the benefits produced by the cultivation and consumption of legumes, production 432
has not met expectations and remains lower than that of other crops."

Some of the references do not appear to have date of publication, only date of accessing the document.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The authors are commended for using English, which is not their mother language, in such a proficient manner.  There are many spots where the writing is slightly awkward due to word choice and long sentences. The English writing improvements would enable the authors to present stronger arguments and more compelling conclusions.

Author Response

Review #3

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Your thoughtful comments that substantially improved this manuscript. In order to make the article more concise and consistent with the whole subject matter, I have changed some parts as follows. 

 

• Abstract

the following wording is a bit awkward and could be made more clear - An analysis was 16 carried out to highlight the changes that have taken place at a conceptual level, which are closely 17 linked to cultural changes, since society often undergoes transformations and therefore lifestyles 18 change, obviously also through food choices.

Thank you very much for the suggestion, I have rewritten the summary more concisely by including the objective of the study and the conclusions (lines 12-24).

See 2) making Mediterranean agriculture and market strongest and most (line 46) - should 'the' be placed in front of strongest?

Thank you, the article has been revised entirely in the English form

Line 53 - the meaning here is unclear- the symbolic element of the religious universe

Thank you very much, this part has been removed

Lines 55-56 could be made more clear and concise

Thank you very much, this part of the text has been made clearer.

Line 56-58 - the definition seems inadequate or inaccurate. "A diet is defined as sus- 56 tainable when it introduces foods of animal and plant origin produced by minimizing the 57 waste of natural resources and which encourages local and seasonal consumption [11]

Thank you, the definition has been made clearer.

What of the role of emissions, contributing to global warming and disrupting weather patterns and food yields?

Thank you very much, this part of the text has been made clearer.

Line 59 - the production of agricultural systems has increased - the use of terms here is a bit confusing. Might the authors consider "the formation of agricultural, and often industrial, systems has increased..."?

Thank you has been replaced with the proposed sentence.

Line 67 - have a reduced biological value as well as a reduced environmental 67

impact - this reviewer advises the authors that the use of 'reduced biological value' in this context seems inaccurate and inappropriate.

This part has been rewritten.

Further edits to English appear necessary. But such detailed editorial review is beyond the role of a peer assessment. I will place my focus on the structure and strength of arguments and conclusions.

Thank you, the article has been revised entirely in the English form

 

• Methodology

Lines 92-93 which is why 92 articles published in the last 10 years were also taken into consideration - the authors do not adequately explain the importance of the last 10 years and relationship to sustainable diets

Thank you. I modified the methodology thanks to this valuable suggestion.

 

• Results

above all to under- 137 stand the biochemical mechanisms that correlate the Mediterranean diet with a healthy 138 lifestyle from every point of view.

 

Why a focus on biochemical when every point of view is considered (like a systems analysis - involving social, health, environmental, economic, etc.)?

Thank you very much for the clarification, this part has been removed.

This review would encourage the authors to substitute gender inclusive language in lieu of terms like "man's lifestyle" (line 155).

Thank you, the article has been revised entirely in the English form

The following lines are a bit unclear and therefore a bit misleading. More clarity would help. "The choice made at a food level is closely connected to the production context and 156 being aware of this aspect reduces environmental problems. Likewise, foods chosen con- 157 sciously limit health problems [29].

Thank you very much for the clarification, this part has been removed.

The links between conscious choice and health outcomes should be made more evident.

Thank you very much, the text made this connection clearer.

Lines 170-174 are quite interesting on legumes known in ancient Rome were named after..." This appears to be a valuable story to insert into this paper.

Line 178- might the authors confirm the percentage of legumes produced that are channelled to human food consumption and not animal feed, fuel, or pet foods?

Please explain the meaning on line 196 regarding "It is better to pre- 196 fer prolonged cooking, " -better than what? Is it not better to advise of the importance of prolonged soaking of beans for a curtailed time required for cooking? This seems also to be an element of sustainable consumption.

Thank you very much for the clarification, this part has been removed.

The nutrition table following line 211 should be labelled and numbered.

Thank you, the nutrition table has been labelled and numbered.

Might the authors check the fat associated with lentils. It seems significantly out of alignment with the others legumes listed.  Fat, total (total lipids) g 2.3 6.3 11729 0.4 (Is it also the case for Vit A that lentils are extremely high, along with calcium and iron and so on?)

Thank you very much, the table was revised because there were typing errors.

The world's agricultural production of legumes ranks third after cereals and oilseeds [60]. 232 - is this by volume, by sales, by what measures?

Thank you very much for the clarification, this part has been removed.

As noted by the authors lines 233-234 legumes produce are used for feed and fodder. Does channelling legumes through animals contribute to sustainability? Does the conversion ratio of feed volumes to amount of animal products produced, suggest significant levels of inefficiency and some waste of natural resources? This seems to contradict the definition initially offered above for sustainable diets.

Thank you very much for the clarification, this part has been removed.

Line 276 -first use of the word "you". Perhaps it should not be used?

Thank you, the article has been revised entirely in the English form.

Line 279 jumps out of nutrition right into international agreements. This might require its own paragraph and suitable flow from one theme to another distinct theme

Thank you very much this part has been rewritten more clearly.

Lin 288-289 - Legumes are foods of undoubted importance 288

in the vegetarian and vegan diet in its various aspects [85].  Are not legumes important in all dietary patterns seeking to be healthier and more sustainable?

Thank you very much, this has been better specified.

Sections 3.1.1; 3.1.2; 3.1.3; seem to include both elements of legume production and consumption (food) and then Section 3.2 moves onto consumption of legumes.  These sections might be formulated into a more cohesive and logical flow.

Thank you very much all chapters have been reworded and reorganised.

Lines 403-405 are well stated - It should be underlined that it is essential to work towards sustainable diets, capable of 403 generating a reduced environmental impact, through the commitment of an ever-increas- 404 ing number of countries that incorporate sustainability criteria into their dietary recom- 405 mendations [122].

Thank you very much for the suggestion, this part has been included.

 

• Conclusion

this sentence seems inaccurate with the volume of literature that points to extensive use of natural resources for the equivalent amount of animal protein compared to plant protein.  "It is therefore important to encourage a greater 411intake of plant products which require an expenditure of environmental resources com- 412 pared to that required by the production of animal proteins. "

Thank you very much, this part has been removed.

Line 420 - the study did not seem to study the area of awareness so extensively, so greater illumination is needed for the sentence, "The new awareness confirms greater attention to legumes"

Thank you very much, the sentence has been deleted and the awareness part has been added in the conclusion as a future perspective.

This sentence also is surprising to read in the conclusion as it was not elucidated in the text of the research. "Despite the benefits produced by the cultivation and consumption of legumes, production 432

has not met expectations and remains lower than that of other crops."

Thank you, this part has been removed.

Some of the references do not appear to have date of publication, only date of accessing the document.

Thank you very much, the entire bibliography has been revised and corrected.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The authors are commended for using English, which is not their mother language, in such a proficient manner.  There are many spots where the writing is slightly awkward due to word choice and long sentences. The English writing improvements would enable the authors to present stronger arguments and more compelling conclusions.

Thank you very much for this further consideration, the article has been revised by a professional English editing service.

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors, you have put a lot of effort into the work and its correction, and I have only two minor suggestions.

Title 3.1. should be 3. So go through all the headings again and revise them.

I would suggest that you move the section on legumes (lines 137 - 199) from the chapter on the Mediterranean diet as a model of sustainability to the chapter Legumes in the Mediterranean diet.

Author Response

Reviewer 2:

Dear authors, you have put a lot of effort into the work and its correction, and I have only two minor suggestions.

Thank you very much for your corrections.

 

1.Title 3.1. should be 3. So go through all the headings again and revise them.

Thank you very much for this consideration, the chapters have been renumbered as you suggested

 

2.I would suggest that you move the section on legumes (lines 137 - 199) from the chapter on the Mediterranean diet as a model of sustainability to the chapter Legumes in the Mediterranean diet.

Thank you, the part of the text mentioned has been moved as you suggested

 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This reviewer advises that the references inserted as #11 should be removed/ or supplemented by the authors' reference #19 that provides a more suitable and inclusive definition of sustainable diets. The assertion by the authors of the definition  as follows could be viewed as misleading and not reflective of the many dimensions of sustainable diets.

See lines 51-53

The Mediterranean diet has recently been defined as sustainable. A diet is defined as sus- 51 tainable when it introduces foods of both animal and plant origin while minimizing the 52 waste of natural resources and encouraging the purchase of local and seasonal products

Author Response

Reviewer 3:

This reviewer advises that the references inserted as #11 should be removed/ or supplemented by the authors' reference #19 that provides a more suitable and inclusive definition of sustainable diets. The assertion by the authors of the definition as follows could be viewed as misleading and not reflective of the many dimensions of sustainable diets.

See lines 51-53

The Mediterranean diet has recently been defined as sustainable. A diet is defined as sus- 51 tainable when it introduces foods of both animal and plant origin while minimizing the 52 waste of natural resources and encouraging the purchase of local and seasonal products

Thank you very much for the suggestion. The quoted lines have been replaced with a more complete definition and the bibliographical reference has been changed