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The Health Benefits of Beans

Updated on October 27, 2013

The Health Benefits of Beans

There are many health benefits to gain by eating beans. Beans are high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and have water content to help the body feel fuller more quickly, and the body feels fuller longer, which helps to reduce hunger. Beans taste good and are nutritious. Beans contain: folic acid, iron (which is good for the blood), magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. Baked beans taste good with different flavored sauces like barbecue, or honey, which makes them easier to eat, especially for young people, who are more fussy when it comes to eating beans. Beans contain protein, which is good for strong muscles, hair and nails. Muscles need protein. Protein is the building block for strong muscles. Beans make a great side dish to have at meals. Beans can be used in a variety of ways, in soups, salads, or just as a side dish to accompany the main dishes like meat and potatoes. There are many different types of beans, such as black beans, green beans, Lima beans, pinto beans, navy beans, baked beans (which usually come in a canned variety), white beans, red beans, and many, many more...Beans are an inexpensive food that have many health benefits that are good for the body. Beans are, also, a "Super-food."

Green Beans

Green Beans
Green Beans | Source

Good Sources of Information to Learn about Beans

Here are some good sources of information about beans. One of the sources is WebMD and another is the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which has some real good information on beans, which includes a guide, a slide show, and recipes. The Mayo Clinic has good information on how to prepare beans for soups and salads, and much more...Here are the websites for WebMd and the Mayo Clinic:

1. WebMD; Beans: Protein rich-superfoods: www.webMd.com/diet/features/beans-protein-rich-superfoods.

2. Beans and other legumes. Types and cooking tips-Mayo Clinic.com, address: www.mayoclinic.com/health/legumes/NU00260.

3. Slideshow guide to beans-Mayo Clinic.com: www.mayoclinic.com/health/beans-andlegumes/MY00612&slide=10.

4. Beans and legumes-Mayo Clinic.com: www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthyrecipes/RE00084.

Beans and Legumes

The common bean comes from the Legume family. Eating beans can cause intestinal gas to form in the large intestine. Beans contain sugars that the human digestive tract can't digest, so the bacteria living in the large intestine breaks down the sugars forming gas. Soaking the beans in water for eight hours or overnight may help to alleviate the problems with gas. After the beans are soaked, they should be rinsed before cooking. After the beans have been soaked in water for eight hours or overnight, the water should be discarded, because the water contains the sugars left from soaking. Beans that are soaked in water cook faster. There are other ways to cook beans, as well. Beans can be power soaked by boiling them for three minutes, then leaving them sit for two to four hours or a pressure cooker can be used to cut down on cooking time. Beans should be boiled, before putting them in a slow cooker to prevent the toxic effects of the beans. Beans should be rinsed before cooking to remove as much as the sugars as possible to reduce the risks of intestinal gas that may follow after eating beans.

Bean Pots-Baking Beans

Bean Pots for Making Baked Beans
Bean Pots for Making Baked Beans | Source

How to Make Boston Baked Beans

Beans

In conclusion, beans are a super-food, they're inexpensive, they contain high amounts of fiber, antioxidants to fight the free radicals that may cause cancer, vitamins, folic acid, protein, and water content for fullness after eating. Beans come in many different types, and makes for a great super-food. Beans are tasty, nutritional, and a great food source, so they have a lot to offer in the way of health benefits. There is a lot to beans that many people might not realize. Modern Marvels has a real good video on beans that is interesting, fun and has information on how beans cause gas in the digestive system. There are beans that are grown in Italy that are expensive, and the beans originated from North and South America, but had gone through changes through the years when grown in Italy. These beans are only grown in Italy.

Beans: A Healthy Food Choice

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