Top 5 health benefits of beans

Monday, March 31, 2014 by: Sandeep Godiyal
Tags: beans, health benefits, disease prevention

(NaturalNews) Beans, since they are high in protein, are a staple of those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. There are a number of other health benefits that should make even die hard meat eaters take notice as well. Read on for the top five health benefits of beans.

1. Beans help prevent heart disease

A diet high in a variety of beans, including peas and legumes, has been shown to help keep the heart healthy and prevent disease. Numerous studies have shown a lower incidence in heart disease among those people who stated that they ate more beans. Phytochemicals prevent against such health issues, and beans have high quantities of these.

2. Beans help prevent cancer

Like heart disease, incidences of cancer seem to be on the rise. Eating a diet high in beans might be able to help reduce the likelihood of contracting cancer. Beans contain a high concentration of a number of chemicals that are known to fight cancer, including phytosterols and isoflavones.

3. Beans help lower cholesterol

In addition to being a great source of protein, beans are well known for being high in another property that is crucial to good health: fiber. With most people not getting enough fiber in their diets to ensure good intestinal health, eating a diet high in beans helps to remedy that. In addition, fiber is crucial in controlling cholesterol levels.

Researchers have found that 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of beans provides about ten grams of fiber. This is the same amount that has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by about ten percent. In addition, beans are high in phytosterols and saponins which are known for reducing cholesterol.

4. Beans help with weight loss

Just a small serving of beans has a great deal of fiber. Fiber is a crucial element in losing weight since it takes the body longer to digest. This helps to make the person feel fuller, for a longer period of time. The fiber in beans also causes blood sugar to rise more slowly, helping to stave off hunger pangs for a longer period of time while also providing energy.

5. Beans help manage diabetes

Beans could be described as a preferred food of diabetics. Due to their unique combination of protein and complex carbohydrates, beans release glucose more slowly, making it easier for a diabetic's body to adjust to the influx. For this reason, a diet high in beans helps a diabetic, especially when compared to the sudden rush of sugar that is experienced after eating a meal of simple carbohydrates.

Adding more beans to the diet is easy. Incorporate them into meat based meals, as a side dish or even as a main dish meal that adds a myriad of tasty benefits. Just a half a cup of beans a few times a week can help a person enjoy good health.

Source :
http://www.joybauer.com/food-articles/beans-and-legumes.aspx
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/health-benefits-of-beans/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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