Nutritional benefits of legume consumption at household level in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Summary Background. The N2Africa research project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and food security through the cultivation of grain legumes. The major grain legumes in Africa are common bean, cowpea, pigeonpea, chickpea, soybean and groundnut. The aim of this literature study is to investigate the effects of legume cultivation on nutritional benefits in the household. Maternal and child undernutrition is highly prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries, resulting in substantial increases in mortality and overall disease burden and decreases in productivity. Africa has the highest rates of undernutrition compared with Asia and Latin America. Undernutrition refers to a lack of adequate energy, protein and/or micronutrients to meet basic requirements for body maintenance, growth and development.