Why are Beans Good for You?

Many people wonder, “Why are beans good for you?”

This common question crosses their minds when they are eating dinner, grocery shopping or watching a cooking show. People can use beans with almost any meal. Grill them and serve them with hotdogs. If you prefer, add the beans to your salad, sandwiches or pasta dishes. There are many health benefits to beans.

If you do not like to eat vegetables, then you may want to increase your intake with beans. Beans are good for you because they help lower cholesterol and fight heart disease. Patti Bazel Weil, R.D., a diabetes nutrition educator, recommends eating a cup of beans daily. The chances of lowering your cholesterol improve by 10 percent in just six weeks. In men, it reduces the amount of cholesterol by 19 percent.

You may also want to broaden their diet with a variety of beans. Red beans have antioxidants and properties such as green tea, wine and berries. Plus, they give the body protein and fiber which helps curb a person’s appetite. This, in turn, helps promote weight lost, especially for those struggling to lose weight.

As stated before, beans are a good source of fiber. This means that they help people release their bowels. However, beans can cause excessive flatulence. It is best to try not to eat so many beans in your diet. Have a few beans daily or weekly. Instead, try a variety of meals. Find the best beans for your diet and for your fiber intake.

Learn how about the other types of beans that are good for you. Beans that have good sources of minerals include alava pinto and kidney beans. They have good source of minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and phosphorous.

Michigan State University also performed a study on kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans and navy beans. The study says that these types of beans are the healthiest overall. The recommended amount for these beans is three cups a week. Incorporate these beans into your diet by having them as side dishes with pasta, salad and soup.

Research the different types of beans before settling on just one. Try the different types of beans, if possible. Observe the different brands and types of beans. Then you can find one or more types of beans that work best for your diet.