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BACKGROUND: The anticancer effects of legumes have been explored extensively, but evidence from epidemiologic studies on colorectal adenoma is controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess these issues. METHODS: A systemic search of several databases was conducted for relevant studies evaluating the relationship between legume intake and adenoma risk, with no language restriction, from January 1, 1966, to April 1, 2013. RESULTS: Three cohort and eleven case control studies with 8,380 cases and a total of 101,856 participants were included in the analysis; the pooled odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the highest vs. lowest consumption categories was 0.83 (0.75-0.93), with moderate level of heterogeneity (I(2) = 25.9% and P = 0.146) based on a random effects model. A decreased risk of adenoma was also observed in most of our subgroup meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of legumes significantly reduced the risk of colorectal adenoma in our meta-analysis. Nevertheless, due to possible confounders and bias, further investigations are warranted to confirm this relationship.