Research shows black beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet

(NaturalNews) We all have heard about the importance of including brightly colored fresh vegetables and fruits in our diet, and how consuming them gives us a tremendous health boost - and this is undeniably true. However, in our quest to load up our shopping carts in the produce aisle, we might want to take a few minutes to go stock up on some beans as well, black beans in particular.

Some promising research has been done that demonstrates the power of black beans when it comes to combating inflammation, preventing cancers and heart disease, keeping weight gain and obesity at bay, and excellent support for our digestive health. (1)

The dark color of the black bean is a surprising source of powerful nutrients (2)

Studies have shown that the deep dark coat on the black bean is a powerful source of three important flavonoids: delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin. These important substances are super-high in antioxidant activity. (3)

Black beans are a fantastic source of protein

Just one cup of black beans has a whopping 15 grams of protein! Not only that, but there is zero saturated fat in these tasty legumes, which are a lean, plant-based protein that can be enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians, and non-vegetarian eaters alike. (4)

This protein-powered bean gives you a longer feeling of satiation, which can help you feel good all day long.

If you are looking to add healthy fiber to your diet, and support your digestive health, and reduce your risk for colon cancer, consider black beans

In the world of healthy sources of fiber, you cannot get much better than black beans. In addition, studies have demonstrated that they are good for our digestive system, especially the colon. (5)

By adding these tasty beans to your diet, you can lower your risk for colon cancer. The fiber and resistant starch of the bean are the source of this protection, because the body does not digest the starch, your body produces butyrate to aid in the digestion - and this is a compound that has been shown to prevent cancer. (6)

Looking to keep heart disease at bay? Add black beans to your diet to boost your heart health

As mentioned above, black beans are an excellent source of fiber - and fiber is a potent fighter against heart disease, along with its power-packed nutrients like folate, potassium, vitamin B6 and phytonutrients. (7)

The fiber helps reduce cholesterol, and the B6 and folate ward off homocysteine, which in excess can damage blood vessels. All of this means that black beans are a potent source of heart-healthy nutrients! Even better, black beans are incredibly cheap - making them one of the best health food bargains out there. The sheer versatility of this modest legume is amazing - there are so many ways you can use it in your meal planning! Some great ideas for recipes with black beans in a starring role can be found at food.com. (8)

Sources:

(1) http://draxe.com

(2) http://www.whfoods.com

(3) http://scialert.net

(4) http://www.mensfitness.com

(5) http://www.fca.com

(6) https://pcrm.org

(7) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

(8) http://www.food.com/

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. >>> Click here to see more by Michelle