Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed

Health Benefits of Beans, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 01, 2020

Topic Image

Beans help to reduce risks of heart disease and colon cancer and even regulates diabetes. They also strengthen your immunity by helping to remove the free radicals within your body. Beans also keep your eyes and bones healthy and improve your digestive system. They are also found to reduce birth defects.

Beans

Green beans are members of the common bean family, Phaseolus vulgaris and are popular all over the world. However, there are known by different names like French beans, string beans, fine beans and others in different parts of the world. They may differ in shape and in size.

Green beans can be cultivated in varied climates and so is popular in many parts of the world. It is thus recognized as a ‘versatile’ vegetable. There are about 150 varieties of green beans and despite some variations in their appearance, their nutritional and health benefits are more or less the same.

Nutritional Value of Beans

There is no doubt that beans have high nutritional content and that regular consumption of vegetables including beans will surely keep you healthy and strong. Being low in calories and fat and having almost no cholesterol, beans can be consumed regularly. It has high fiber content and also provides you with essential proteins.

Beans also provide you with a supply of vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, K, B6 and folic acid. Furthermore, beans also furnish essential minerals that are good for your body like calcium, silicon, iron, manganese, potassium and copper.

Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams

347
Calories
1.2 g
Total Fat
12 mg
Sodium
1,393 mg
Potassium
63 g
Total Carbohydrate
21 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

0.11
Calcium
10 %
Vitamin C
28 %
Iron
25 %
Vitamin B-6
44 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Beans

Topic Image

Since various types of beans are available in the local market and each one offers different health benefits due to their nutritional properties. Let check out some basic health benefits you get while consuming beans.

They are good in constipation, diabetes issues, and maintaining cholesterol level and acts as an immunity booster. We also look outside the effects of consuming beans in various condition and cultivation details to know more about it.

Beans are healthy for the heart

Beans contain abundant amounts of soluble fiber that helps lower the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy and strong. Green beans contain high quantities of flavonoid which are actually polyphenolic antioxidants.

Flavonoid present in bean has anti-inflammatory properties and thus helps prevent blood clots in the arteries and veins. Risks of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases are thus substantially reduced.

Beans helps to fight cancer

Various cancer fighting chemicals such as isoflavones and phytosterols are found in beans. These chemicals help to prevent certain types of cancer. 3 cups of beans per week are recommended by scientists to prevent the onset of chronic diseases.

Bean reduce cholesterol levels

Beans contain soluble fibre which helps to control the cholesterol levels in blood. Moreover saponins and phytosterols present in beans also help to control cholesterol. Beans themselves contain almost no cholesterol and, hence, are beneficial for you.

Bean boost body immunity

Beans contain a variety of anti-oxidants that help to strengthen the immunity of the body. These anti-oxidants are compounds that seek out the free radicals that may cause harm to our body and destroy them. Beans are a good source of flavonoids and carotenoids which contain a number of anti-oxidants.

Green beans for constipation

Beans are a rich source o fiber and helps in regularizing your bowel movements. Bid adieu to irregular bowel movements by including beans in your daily diet. If you are going for a high-fiber diet, make sure that you are taking lots of beans.

Takes care of your eyes

Green beans contain specific carotenoids that help prevent macular degeneration which is decrease in vision and eye function. Caretonoids like Lutein and Zeaxanthin present in eye help to prevent any stress on the inner workings of your eyes. Thus, it is good to include green beans in your diet to keep your eyes healthy and in the best working condition.

Beans offers essential nutrients

If you are willing to shift to a wholesome dietary plan, you can include beans in your diet and enjoy all its benefits. Not only proteins, complex carbs and fiber, beans are also a rich source of anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, copper, folate, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus. These minerals are essential for the proper functioning of your body.

Beans help you to lose weight

A serving of beans fills you up quickly as it is rich in fibers. It causes blood pressure to rise slowly and provides you with a steady supply of energy. So instead of going for food rich in calories and fats, you can opt for a bowl of wholesome beans that will stave off your hunger for a longer period of time.

Green beans for diabetes patients

Beans are essential for a person suffering from diabetes. Beans contain a balance of complex carbohydrates and protein which ensures that you get a slow and steady source of glucose. This is better than receiving a sudden surge of glucose after eating simple carbohydrates.

Beans improves bone health

Green beans contain variety of nutrients including calcium which is instrumental in preventing deterioration of bones and osteoporosis. Deficiencies of Vitamin A, Vitamin K and silicon can lead to weaker bones and also result in bone loss. Green beans contain silicon which is an essential element for healthy bones.

Beans helps in pre-natal care

Folic acid, found in green beans, helps to regulate a number of internal processes. But most importantly, it helps to protect infants in the womb. Folic acid levels in the body of a pregnant woman are essential for the proper development of the foetus. Thus green beans help to keep folic acid levels high and ensure that the baby born is healthy.

Uses of Beans

Beans contain a wide range of nutrients including anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals that help us to have a healthy body and lead a healthy life. It strengthens the immune system and prevents the onset of many diseases.

Beans helps to manage diabetes and also ensures that you possess a happy and healthy heart. It prevents bone deterioration and osteoporosis and also reduces the chances of colon cancer.

Moreover, beans are the least expensive source of protein and are easily available. Beans are versatile in the sense that they can be incorporated in the main dish, side dish, appetizer or can even be consumed as snack.

pms_banner

Side-Effects & Allergies of Beans

Beans do not generally possess any serious health risks. But dried beans, lentils and peas can cause an embarrassing flatulence problem. Phytic acid present in green beans can cause nutrient deficiencies in your body as it binds with calcium, zinc and other minerals and do not allow them to be absorbed by the body.

Lectins, although present in small quantities in beans can cause the proteins to bind up the intestinal system and this may cause digestive problems. People can also be allergic to beans.

Cultivation of Beans

Beans were an important source of protein throughout history and are still consumed almost all over the world. The oldest known domesticated beans can be dated back to the 2nd millennium BCE and were found in Guitarrero cave in Peru in the Americas.

Beans are a summer crop that needs warm temperatures to grow. It normally requires 55-60 days to mature from the day of planting. As a vine, bean plants need external support and which may be provided in the form of special cages or poles. Beans are a heliotrophic plant which implies that the leaves tilt towards the sun throughout the day.

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

I'm 21 year old male, I have been diagnosed wit...

related_content_doctor

Dr. G.R. Agrawal

Homeopathy Doctor

Hi, lybrate user, •Tk, plenty of water  to moisten your  scalp to check dandruff, inorder to cond...

Good evening doctor I have lots of hair fall an...

related_content_doctor

Dr. G.R. Agrawal

Homeopathy Doctor

Hi, lybrate user, •Gastric disorder, triggers hair loss, hence, tk,  easily digestible diet on ti...

Hi I am male ,and I am sleepless for last seven...

related_content_doctor

Dr. G.R. Agrawal

Homeopathy Doctor

Hi, lybrate user, •Obesity, diabetes, depression and anxiety might risk of loss of sleep with gas...

Hi, I have fatty liver grade 3 disease, doctor ...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Jyoti Sharma Sharma

Homeopathy Doctor

You should take proper diet and have to change your life style do some physical activity With pro...

I am working out and want to muscle my protein ...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Jyoti Monga

Ayurvedic Doctor

"dear Lybrate user thanks for sending across your query. You can take milk, curd c dal, soya bean...

    Delhi
    Mumbai
    Chennai
    Bangalore
    Index

    Table of content

    Content Details
    Profile Image
    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
    Profile Image
    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
    chat_icon

    Ask a free question

    Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

    posted anonymously