Bean Nutrition for Healthy Living and Eating
Bean nutrition makes
the humble bean one of the best healthiest foods. Beans are low in fat,
high in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and loaded with healthful
antioxidants.
If you want foods that contain antioxidants, do not pass up the chili or black bean dip! These small, mild tasting vegetables are actually nutritional powerhouses and extremely high in antioxidants. This remarkable discovery automatically puts beans in the list of the top foods.
A report from Science Daily shows a recent study that finds beans, especially the black ones, to be a rich source of antioxidants similar to the amount found in some fruits. The plant pigments called flavonoids that give the beans their distinctive colors, not only make them look attractive, but contain high amount of antioxidants.
Antioxidants help protect against disease and the aging process by destroying free radicals, which are associated with disease and aging. The more intense the color of the bean, the higher in antioxidants it is. Black beans have more antioxidant properties than white beans. Beans that are colored red, brown and yellow are somewhere in between.
This color scheme associated with high levels of nutrients should come as no surprise since the presence of vibrant colors usually signal high levels of nutrients.
Antioxidants are not the only high points of bean nutrition. Long before antioxidants became a hot nutritional topic, beans were highly regarded for their other nutritional properties.
Beans are a favorite of vegetarians as a meat alternative since they are low in fat and high in protein. They also have no cholesterol. Beans contain complex carbohydrates, B vitamins and important trace minerals such as iron, zinc, copper and potassium.
Of all plant foods, beans contain the most fiber per serving, 4 to 8 grams in just ½ cup of cooked beans. The high fiber content makes for an inexpensive and satisfying meal for those concerned with watching their weight while feeling full and satisfied.
Beans are a good choice for diabetics since they help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. A diet high in beans also helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
To avoid the uncomfortable and
socially unacceptable potential side effects of beans, take digestive
enzymes. An excellent digestive aid is Probiotics
12 Plus.
And for you chocolate lovers, don't forget the favorite cacao beans. These too are chock full of
incredible nutrients for your well being.
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