Beans, Beans, that magical fruit

According to many nutritionists, beans are one of the most overlooked health foods in the world today. Long denounced by many for their supposedly high carb, therefore high weight gain, potential, recent research has actually found that beans in fact contain  complex forms of carbohydrates that actually do not contribute to weight gain. Instead, these complex carbs help us by providing a steady supply of stable energy to our muscles and brain.

Not only are beans not bad for you, they are chocked full of nutrients that most other foods can only aspire to. They contain Vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and alpha-linolenic acid, all important body building blocks. Beans are also loaded with a ton of protein, which makes them rare species indeed in the plant world. Protein is essential for our bodies to function properly, the rub being that most foods that are high in protein also happen to be bad for the heart. Beans, on the other hand, are not only a right source of protein, they are also heart healthy.

Recent scientific studies have found that beans have the potential to prevent many life threatening illnesses that are prevalent in America at this time. They can help combat cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in our country today and beans have been proven to help reduce the risk of this totally preventable disease by as much as 22 percent. Beans are also great at curbing your hunger and since they are a very efficient fuel that our bodies can burn off very easily.  This can help give us a boost of energy and keep the pounds off.

Beans have also been found to be loaded with free radical fighting antioxidants. Free Radicals are unstable compounds that can do a lot of damage to the body including being a known cause for cancer and premature aging. Antioxidants are nutrients which are known to be able to help cancel out the negative effects of these free radicals.  Since beans are loaded with antioxidants, they have the potential to fight cancer and make you feel younger and more energized.

Which beans are the best beans?  Studies done at the world renowned Michigan State University have found that beans that are termed as “dry” beans tend to be the healthiest. While there is a strong similarity in the nutrient content of most beans, researchers have found that kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans, and navy beans are the better beans to eat. How much beans should you eat?  Nutritionists recommend about three cups of beans per week, but even including just a cup of beans per week into your diet can help you feel healthier.

People’s state of health would be much better off if they quit looking at beans as merely a source of carbs and gassy after effects and instead acknowledged them for their high nutrient value.  Eating beans can help people fight off many off the illnesses that plague them and given the untold varieties of beans out there, it should not be hard to find one that suits your taste.