Regarding biological plausibility, two aspects need to be considered: 1) the involvement of inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD pathophysiology; and 2) the anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects of the nutrients of interest. Both have been extensively studied, and there is no doubt as to their reality. Indeed, following available data on COPD pathophysiology, anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant approaches represent by far the most intensively explored ways of affecting the natural history of the disease [8]. Shortchain fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-modulatory and anti-proliferative effects, as highlighted in the paper by YOUNG and HOPKINS [1] and demonstrated in experimental models and in vivo observations. Epidemiological and pathophysiological inter-relations between all the above-mentioned nutrients obviously make it difficult to determine which one is the most important. While the epidemiological evidence specifically regarding beans is limited, relatively large amounts of data are available for other nutrients, which are summarised below since some might interact with bean consumption.