Promoting Your Health with Beans
The first time that I heard about beans was as a child in the fairy tale of Jack and the beanstalk when a poor farm boy and his mother became rich after a series of events that would take them from rags to riches this turn of events happen because of some magical beans.
And even though this story may be a fairy tale what’s not a fairy tale is the beans that we grow in our own gardens, purchase from the supermarkets or get from other places make our lives richer as we promote good health by including them in our diet. In this article, we will be looking at beans and how they do benefit us in staying healthy and strong.
Island life
Besides peas that I have written an article on, the natives love beans, beans play an important role in our diet. Beans are often used in rice, soups salads, etc.. and the truth is these dishes are just mouth-watering. Here are three beans that top the.
Kidney beans
For me kidney beans top the list and are one of my favorites, I especially like it when it is added to the rice. My father who is now deceased was very gifted when it came to cooking kidney beans and rice. I loved the way he cooked it and have tried to copy his style but to this day have not done so as yet.
Besides the great taste of kidney beans, there are many benefits along with the added vitamin content that makes these beans are must in adding to your diet.
The health benefits of kidney beans include
1. Helps to promote weight loss.
2. Keeps the heart-healthy.
3. Aids in controlling blood sugar level.
4. Helps to prevent cancer.
5. Kidney beans have been known to be an energy booster.
6. Helps with cholesterol level.
7. Aids in good bowel movement.
8. Can keep your skin healthy.
9. Is an excellent choice for diabetics.
10. Helps to boost the immune system.
Nutritional benefits include
Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K1, Protein, Folate, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Copper, Dietary fiber, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, and Phosphorus
Green Lima beans
Lima beans are another favorite of the Islander because of their unique taste, this bean will really enhance the taste of your food.
Health benefits of green lima beans
1. Because of their high fiber content, green lima beans will give you a good bowel movement.
2. Helps to fight against breast cancer.
3. Promotes heart health.
4. Can improve the digestive system.
5. Aids as an energy booster.
6. Can promote good blood sugar level.
7. Aids in detoxing the body.
8. Helps to combat muscle pain.
9. Promotes bone health.
10. Help to protect against arthritis.
Nutritional benefits include
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Folate, Copper, Dietary fiber, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Molybdenum, Iron, and Calcium.
Pinto beans
Pinto beans bring their own unique flavor along with those benefits that can promote good health.
Health benefits of Pinto beans
1. Aids in a good bowel movement.
2. May help to prevent cancer.
3. Good for your blood sugar level.
4. Helps to detoxify the body.
5. Aids in proper kidney function.
Nutritional benefits of Pinto beans
Nutritional benefits include
Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, Iron, Potassium, Dietary Fiber, Folate, Copper, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Protein, Calcium, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Selenium, Zinc, and Niacin
The final word
Besides its great taste, beans are a good source of so many benefits along with their vitamin content. So make beans a part of your diet and give your body the boost that it needs.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Honestly I have never paid much attention to beans before, I had no idea that they had so many health benefits. I’ve never really cooked much with beans but your article has made it clear that I really should, especially since I cook for my little family and my children’s health and nutrition is one of my top priorities.
Thanks, now you just have to share your recipe for Kidney Beans and Rice 🙂
Hello Lynne it is so good to hear form you, thanks for commenting and I am glad that I could help. Beans are very beneficial and can do our bodies a whole lot of good. It is good to see that health is prioritie on your list. Wishing you the best of health and success.
Cooking kidney beans and rice is so awesome, I promise to get the recipe to you so keep and eyeout. Thanks again and have a good day.
Great breakdown of the nutritional benefits here! I absolutely love beans, but don’t think to add them to my meals enough. I’m thinking about trying to cut down on the amount of meat that we eat as a family. I think beans would be a great food to use as a substitute.
Good morining Ryan it is so good to hear from you, beans are loaded with so much of the good stuff and therefore we should take advantage of these. Thanks for commenting, I am glad that I could help and wishing both you and your family the best. Have a good day.
I have known that beans were good for me but didn’t know exactly how healthy they were until reading your article. I am always trying to find healthier ways to eat and will definitely add more beans into my diet. I’ve cooked meals with beans in the past and am looking forward to using beans more.
Hello Ann it is just so amazing how beneficial beans are. Thanks for commenting and keep eating healthy. Have a good day.
I enjoy the sites of fellow gardeners and their activities, I am a great believer in eating healthy, and there is nothing more healthy than beans. They are used in a lot of food recipes all over the world and can easily be grown in the garden.Any one viewing this post should easily see the health benefits of eating beans.
Hello Andrew so good to meet you. I am glad that I could help, thanks for commenting and keep eating healthy. Have a good day.
Hi Nrichards,
In the last year I have been using different beans and I am trying to include them more with my family meals and diet. I did not know they had so many health benefits. I am particularly surprised to find out that lima beans can help to combat muscle pain. Do you know how often you would incorporate them into a diet to enhance these health benefits? I love rice and beans and have made them different ways. I have to admit, I do not like the texture of large kidney beans so I stay away from them unless they are cooked in something like soups. Feel free to share some recipes, especially for the rice and beans.
Hello Dana it is so good to meet and and it is also good to see that you have made beans a part of your diet. A diet that consist of beans on a regular basis is good. Sure I will be sharing some of my recipes, just keep and eye out. Hope this helps, all the best to you and have a good day.
Great post about the many benefits of beans. I love beans, honestly, I believe there is nothing quite like it. I buy them dry, so I can get them very inexpensive and they will last forever. They are easy to cook and as you mentioned very beneficial. My husband is from Puerto Rico and beans are served with almost every meal. The most popular being “pigeon peas” I found out if I make them with olive oil and salt, even kids like them:)
Hello Gabby so nice to meet you and it is good to know that both you and your family are taking advantage of (these wonders of nature) beans. Keep eating healthy, all the best to you and have a good day.