What are the benefits of beans?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:If you’re on the lookout for foods that are high in protein, beans always top our list. They're a healthy, cheap source of protein that'll reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, lower your blood sugar, and flatten your belly.
Yep, beans do all that and more. Here are five ways beans help your heart, waistline, and blood sugar:
- Protect heart health. The soluble fiber in beans also helps reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein, which lowers your risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
- Reduce belly fat. A recent study found that beans' soluble fiber chases away deep-down, visceral belly fat -- the toxin-filled kind that threatens your vital organs.
- Lower blood sugar. As one of the best foods that are high in protein, beans are also low on the glycemic index. This means they're digested slowly, so they stabilize your blood sugar.
- Reduce blood pressure. Beans are rich in artery-friendly minerals and healthy plant protein -- the kind that's better for blood pressure than protein from animals.
- Reduce cancer risk. Eating beans three times a week not only improves heart health, but also helps prevent colon cancer. (You're 33% less likely to develop colon polyps.) Cutting back on red meat can reduce cancer risk, too.
If you’re on the lookout for foods that are high in protein, beans always top our list. They're a healthy, cheap source of protein that'll reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, lower your blood sugar, and flatten your belly.... More -
Dr. Rovenia Brock answered:From black-eyed peas to kidney, black, pinto, and all manner of beans in between, these high-protein powerhouses contain a good amount of phytates -- nutritional compounds that strengthen the immune system and kill cancer cells. They also have the power to give your brain cells a youthful boost. Beans, with their immune system boosting power, reverse the aging process at the cellular level.From black-eyed peas to kidney, black, pinto, and all manner of beans in between, these high-protein powerhouses contain a good amount of phytates -- nutritional compounds that strengthen the immune system and kill cancer cells. They also have the... More -
RealAge answered:They may not seem sexy, but protein- and fiber-loaded beans and other legumes can help build a better body. "Adding beans to your diet could help you lose weight, even without cutting calories," says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of The Superfoods Rx Diet. On average, people who eat beans weigh 6.6 pounds less, yet eat 199 more daily calories than people who don't eat them. Beans can lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, reduce your risk of diabetes, and help you lose belly fat. To avoid flatulence, ease into them slowly and take Beano until your body adjusts.
They may not seem sexy, but protein- and fiber-loaded beans and other legumes can help build a better body. "Adding beans to your diet could help you lose weight, even without cutting calories," says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of... More -
Dr. Joel Fuhrman answered:Beans contain both insoluble fiber and soluble fiber and are very high in resistant starch. Although resistant starch is technically a starch, it acts more like fiber and "resists" digestion. Since it passes through the small intestine undigested, it means that a significant amount of the carbohydrate calories are not absorbed.
Bean intake recurs in scientific studies as an important factor promoting long life. The conclusions of an important longitudinal study show that a higher legume intake is the most protective dietary predictor of survival among the elderly, regardless of their ethnicity. The study found legumes were associated with long-lived people in various food cultures, such as the Japanese (soy, tofu, and natto), the Swedes (brown beans and peas), and the Mediterranean people (lentils, chickpeas, and white beans). Beans and greens are the foods most closely linked in the scientific literature against cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and dementia.
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Beans contain both insoluble fiber and soluble fiber and are very high in resistant starch. Although resistant starch is technically a starch, it acts more like fiber and "resists" digestion. Since it passes through the small intestine... More -
Judy Caplan of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Beans are by far the best plant source of protein. Although beans belong to the same plant family, they do come in a myriad of forms. Beans are a boon to diabetics because they are digested slowly causing a slow rise in blood sugar. In fact diabetics who eat lots of beans may need less insulin to control their blood sugar. Beans are full of energy giving complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. The protein in beans unlike animal protein is fat free and generally high in fiber.Beans are by far the best plant source of protein. Although beans belong to the same plant family, they do come in a myriad of forms. Beans are a boon to diabetics because they are digested slowly causing a slow rise in blood sugar. In fact... More
