Beans are popular with almost all peoples of the world. Healthy and tasty dishes are made from it. The culture has many varieties, but only about 20 of them are fit for human consumption.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 265 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 21.1 |
| Fat in 100 g, (g): | 1.2 |
| Carbohydrates per 100 g, (g): | 41.4 |
| Glycemic index: | 15-35 |
Types of beans, useful properties
Beans belong to the legume family. It has been used for more than one century, but whole pods of milky-wax ripeness began to be consumed only 200 years ago.
Plants are divided in shape into vines and bush. The latter species is more resistant to cold weather, bears fruit well, stretches from 40 to 60 cm. Curly varieties bear fruit better, but require more careful care during cultivation.
Red
This is one of the most popular varieties. The beans are crescent-shaped. The color varies depending on the variety, from hot pink to burgundy. Has a pleasant nutty flavor.
In terms of useful properties, red beans are equated to meat, since they contain a lot of protein, which is easily absorbed by the body. Thanks to fiber, after eating beans, the feeling of satiety remains for a long time. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and vascular system. It is an effective remedy for the development of cancer.
However, it should be remembered that any beans are very heavy for the digestive tract, and it is strictly forbidden to consume them in their raw form due to the presence of toxic substances.
White
This variety has curly trunks, during flowering on which beautiful white flowers appear. The shape of the beans is also in the shape of a crescent, but the smaller the fruit, the rounder the shape.
Beans shriveled after soaking. This variety contains the most fiber. It is very beneficial for diabetics. These beans are recommended to be consumed together with vegetables so that fiber and iron are better absorbed.
Green pods
This species is also called asparagus, green. In ancient times, these beans were not consumed with the pod. This tradition originated in Italy.
Green beans help prevent heart attacks, they are dietary and help prevent anemia. It has mild sedative properties, removes salts and is useful in the presence of urolithiasis.
Black
The homeland of this variety is Mexico, it came to us only at the end of the 17th century, where it was called “French beans” for a long time. It is believed to be the healthiest bean variety. The protein contained in it helps to burn fat faster, quickly saturates. It cleanses the body and is used to relieve constipation.
Beans. Composition and calories, vitamins and minerals
The beans contain all the nutrients that the human body needs. These are proteins, fiber, fats, carbohydrates and pectins, ash. There are a lot of vitamins E, A, group B in beans. There are iron, calcium, molybdenum, zinc, sodium, copper, manganese in beans. The average calorie content of beans is 292 kcal.
However, there is no vitamin B12 in it, since it is produced only by bacteria that are present in the intestines of herbivores.
How are beans useful?
A lot has been said about the benefits of beans, even Avicenna recognized it. It helps with the following diseases and conditions:
- to normalize salt metabolism;
- to stimulate the genitourinary system;
- recommended for use in eczema and ulcers;
- relieves tartar;
- improves the condition with pancreatitis;
- acts as a mild sedative.
Beans are useful for the introduction of diabetics into the diet, they are used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and heart problems. It is widely used in folk medicine.
Benefits of beans for women
For women, the benefit of beans is that it significantly improves the condition of hair and nails. The arginine and folic acid contained in it help to maintain normal reproductive function.
Beans are often used in cosmetology; they nourish the skin well, moisturize and have a rejuvenating effect.
The benefits of beans for men
For the strong half of humanity, beans help improve potency. it is especially useful if the man has a sedentary job or spends a lot of time behind the wheel.
Beans keep you from getting better and give you a lot of energy.
Bean consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding
While carrying a baby, regular consumption of beans helps prevent anemia and saturates the body with calcium. However, do not get too carried away with dishes made from these beans, as they are still heavy on the stomach. Beans can reduce the manifestations of toxicosis. Sulfur contained in beans allows a pregnant woman to maintain the elasticity of the skin and joints, to avoid the appearance of stretch marks.
During lactation, there are no contraindications to the use of beans, but you should not get too carried away so that the mother and baby herself do not suffer from bloating and severe flatulence.
Can children eat beans?
Young green beans are allowed to be introduced into the baby’s diet from 8-9 months. Start literally with half a teaspoon, with a gradual increase in dosage. It is advisable to introduce the beans after the kid has tried the vegetable stews.
Ripe fruits are introduced only after the onset of 2 years.
Are beans good for weight loss?
Nutritionists have different opinions regarding the possibility of introducing beans into the diet. Someone says that it is not worth it, but someone says, on the contrary, about the benefits. If you adhere to the latter opinion, then beans are useful in that they take a long time to digest and maintain a feeling of satiety for a long time. Beans slow down the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels.
Low calorie content allows you to combine it with many dishes without gaining excess weight.
Eating beans for diabetes
Almost all doctors are unanimous in the opinion that beans are useful in the presence of type 2 sugar disease. It stabilizes glucose levels, normalizes metabolic processes and helps prevent the occurrence of related problems:
- with the pancreas;
- eliminates constipation;
- has a mild diuretic effect;
- strengthens the immune system;
- stabilizes the nervous system.
At the same time, diabetics are allowed to consume all varieties of beans, even green beans. But you should always remember about the individual characteristics of each organism.
How are beans healthier?
Any beans are suitable for conservation, freezing. Almost all beneficial substances remain with these types of processing. Only green beans can be eaten fresh. However, it must first be soaked for about 6-8 hours.
Frozen beans are also recommended, but do not defrost them twice. The advantages of canned beans are that they can be consumed immediately after opening the can. It is best to give preference to beans, which are canned in their own juice.
What beans heal. How to take medicinally
Beans are widely used in folk medicine to lower glucose levels. To prepare a remedy, 4 tablespoons of dried pods are poured into 600 ml of boiling water and left for 1 hour. After that, they are placed in a water bath and heated for 15 minutes. Strain, bring the volume to the original volume with boiling water and consume 1 glass with a meal.
For rheumatism, husks are used. For 1 liter of water, 20 g of raw materials are required. The mixture is boiled in a water bath for 3 hours. After that, filter and drink 100-150 ml 4-5 times throughout the day.
Beans harm and contraindications
In no case should you eat fresh beans, except for green beans. Another danger of beans is increased gas formation, this is due to the high content of polysaccharides. To reduce the effect, dill and mint should be consumed along with bean dishes.
It is forbidden to use beans for persons who have been diagnosed with gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers and hyperacidity of the stomach.
How to choose and store beans
Most often, shelled beans are available for sale, the quality of which is easy to determine. First of all, they must be dry and without signs of sabotage by bugs, the presence of which is indicated by small holes. Don’t buy shriveled seeds.
The color of the beans has little effect, since they contain almost the same amount of useful elements. The shape is also chosen based on personal preference. It should be remembered that purple and red varieties color the dishes in their respective colors. Store beans in a dry and dark place.
When buying green beans, pay attention to the presence of coarse fibers, if any, it means that the product is already overripe. In this case, the pod should be dense and crunchy. It can be stored in the refrigerator for about 1 week. Longer storage means freezing.
Eat beans regularly and you will be free from many diseases, but always remember that in large quantities, they can cause flatulence.