How beans act on the body: benefits and harms, secrets of preserving vitamins and rules of use

Beans entered the top ten most consumed vegetables in the world. This type of legume can be grown in any soil; beans grow in countries with different climates.

The article describes the varieties of this culture and their features. Here you will find answers to questions about how to cook beans properly so that they bring benefits to the body, not harm, and how to keep all vitamins in it.

Types and features

There are over 250 varieties of beans, which can be divided into two large groups: American and Asian. The first is distinguished by short pods and large beans with a characteristic "beak". It is grown mainly in Europe, Russia and America. The second, on the contrary, has long pods and small seeds; it is cultivated in Asian countries.

The table below shows the most popular types of beans and their features.

The most popular type of culture is common green beans. This species includes the subspecies known around the world: red, white, black and green beans.

Effects on the body of men, women and children

Beans - a healthy vegetable for the body, but you should know which variety to choose and how to cook it so as not to harm your health.

This culture is considered curative and helps to cope with many diseases, such as:

1. Cardiovascular dystonia. The vegetable is rich in iron, which improves blood circulation, increases blood flow to cells and helps to strengthen the immune system.
2. Diseases of the digestive system. Improves metabolism.
3. Diseases of the genitourinary system. It removes stones from the kidneys and stimulates the diuretic process, relieving swelling.
4. Diabetes. Arginine, which is part of legumes, synthesizes urea, speeds up metabolism and lowers glucose levels.
5. Chronic rheumatism. The properties of beans will make you feel better with exacerbations of this disease.

The elements that make up the beans are of great benefit to the human body. For example, copper stimulates the production of hemoglobin and adrenaline. Sulfur helps to cope with skin problems, rheumatism and bronchial diseases. Zinc regulates carbohydrate metabolism.

Important! It is not recommended to use beans in their raw form, as they can bring not only benefits, but also harm to health.The raw product contains various poisons and toxic substances that are destroyed during the cooking process.

Children from three years old need to use this type of legumes. Vitamins and amino acids, iron, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, zinc - all this is extremely necessary for a growing body.

Green beans can be given to children from one year old in the form of mashed potatoes. It is much easier for the body to absorb.

The health benefits of beans for men are as follows:

1. It can be recommended for hard physical work or for those who are actively involved in sports. Thanks to its calorie content and high protein content, it will provide ample strength and help build muscle.
2. The use of beans is a good prevention of prostate adenoma and other diseases of the genitourinary system.
3. Thanks to vitamin E and other substances, beans help maintain and improve potency.

For women, beans are also good for:

1. Thanks to vitamins, sulfur and zinc, it helps to improve the skin, nails and hair.
2. Helps maintain women's health, while vitamin E, magnesium and other substances contribute to fertility.

Useful properties, composition and consumption rates

Let's take a closer look at each variety of beans for the differences between them in composition, nutritional and energy value

Red beans

The most popular of all the other types, red beans date back to ancient Rome and Egypt. This legume is widely used in the preparation of first and second courses and is rich in nutrients that are useful and necessary for the body.

Red beans contain a fairly high amount of protein - 8 g per 100 g. The main advantage of this color is that they contain a huge amount of antioxidants.

With regular consumption, the product helps to normalize digestion - it contains dietary fiber. Especially it should be included in your menu for people suffering from constipation.

Red kidney beans help maintain normal acidity levels in the body, which can help reduce harmful bacteria, bloat, and excess weight.

In addition, it is a valuable source of energy, helps prevent atherosclerosis, regulates cholesterol (there is practically no fat in it!), Has a diuretic effect and can be used in the diet of people with diseases of the urinary system. Thanks to beans, you can cleanse the body of toxic substances and heavy metals.

Red beans have a rich chemical composition. If you often use this product (100 g per day), then your body will be provided with vitamins B, C, E, PP and fiber.

Red beans contain:

• carotene;
• iron;
• arginine;
• zinc;
• lysine;
• copper;
• niacin;
• vitamin C;
• tocopherol;
• retinol.

100 g of raw product contains 337 kcal. Most often, beans are consumed boiled without loss of benefit, and the calorie content in this case is 94 kcal per 100 g.

Nutritional value of 100 g red beans:

• proteins - 22.6 g;
• fats - 1.1 g (of which saturated fats - 0.2 g, polyunsaturated fats - 0.6 g and monounsaturated fats - 0.1 g);
• carbohydrates - 61.3 g (fiber - 15.2 g, simple carbohydrates - 2.1 g);
• water - 14 g;
• dietary fiber - 12.4 g

Consumption rates will depend on the diet. For example, those who are losing weight are advised to consume beans two to three times a week, about 100-150 g per meal. For a therapeutic diet, it is better to limit yourself to one or two doses per week, no more than 200 g at a time.

Beans should not be eaten raw: they contain phenazine, a toxic substance for humans, which decomposes during heat treatment. Because of this, you should be extremely careful with sprouted beans.

Beans are contraindicated for:

• gastritis;
• intestinal ulcer;
• low metabolic rate. Elderly people should use it with caution;
• tendency to gout.

White beans

White beans - a valuable source of protein.It is rich in a wide range of substances useful for the body, but not everyone can eat it. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the qualities of this product in more detail.

The beans of this plant do not contain very many proteins (per 100 g - 7 g), so the culture is useful for people suffering from excess weight, as well as the elderly.

In such beans contains a large amount of iron, its use in food helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system and overall health of the body. It is better to cook it in combination with vegetables containing a large amount of vitamin C.

Regular consumption of this product contributes to:

• increased immunity;
• the body's resistance to various infectious diseases;
• regulation of metabolism;
• strengthening the nervous system;
• elimination of inflammatory processes in the liver;
• strengthening the digestive system.

100 g of the product contains:

• 7 g protein;
• folic acid;
• lysine;
• tyrosine;
• arginine;
• tryptophan;
• 150 mg calcium;
• 103 mg magnesium.

Calorie content of white beans: per 100 g - 102 kcal. The product contains:

• 7 g protein;
• 0.5 g of fat;
• 17 g carbohydrates;
• 12.10 g water;
• 3.32 g of ash;
• 3.9 g sugars;
• 15.3 g fiber;
• 32.9 g starch.

Given the calorie content of beans, it is often undesirable to consume them. The fact is that protease inhibitors are able to linger in the intestines for some time, increasing the risk of digestive disorders. It will be optimal to eat bean dishes two to three times a week for 100-150 g.

White beans are contraindicated in the following conditions:

• gastritis with high acidity;
• aggravated stomach ulcer;
• exacerbation of colitis or cholecystitis;
• allergy to this product.

During pregnancy and lactation, it should be included in the diet with caution. It is also not recommended to eat large amounts of legumes for the elderly who suffer from gout or nephritis, since purines are present in plant foods.

If we talk about the possible side effects of white beans, the most common are:

• increased formation of gases in the intestines;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

This discomfort can be prevented if the grains are soaked in water in advance and left for several hours. After that, the water must be drained. Beans should be boiled in fresh water.

It is advisable to use legume dishes without bakery and other flour products. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the gastrointestinal tract to digest fiber, which will lead to increased gas production.

It is recommended to add herbs and spices to dishes, thanks to which the food will break down faster, and the feeling of heaviness in the stomach will disappear.

Black beans

Protein in black beans contains more than white and red beans (9 g). If necessary, it can even become an excellent substitute for meat, especially since the proteins of black beans are close to animal protein in their characteristics.

Eating this product in food helps to normalize the chemical balance in the stomach.

To lower blood sugar levels, it is recommended to take infusions and decoctions made on the basis of bean flaps. The high quality protein that enters the body in this way is involved in the construction of insulin.

The beneficial components contained in black beans affect the entire body, not limited to certain systems:

• potassium helps against edema, strengthens blood vessels, reduces stress on the heart;
• for women it is useful because the vitamin B group it contains is considered a source of beauty and youth. In combination with other vitamins and mineral components, its anti-aging properties are manifested quite strongly: the tone improves, toxins are removed, the skin and nails acquire a healthy look, the nervous system normalizes;
• the product helps to cleanse the body of slag accumulations, removes cholesterol from blood vessels, dissolves kidney stones;
• participates in blood clotting;
• with regular use of the product, the brain function improves, the aging process slows down.

Beans are considered to be a good aid in the fight against overweight and obesity. But before using it, it is still recommended to consult a doctor.

The chemical composition of black beans is as follows:

• proteins;
• fats;
• carbohydrates;
• cellulose;
• pectins;
• vitamins B3, B9, E;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• iron;
• iodine;
• cobalt;
• manganese;
• molybdenum;
• fluorine;
• zinc.

100 g of black beans contains about 341 kcal.

There are a number of restrictions on the use of black beans: old age, nephritis, cholecystitis, gastritis. Such beans considered high in calories and hard to digest, therefore, it should not be used by people suffering from intestinal colic, peptic ulcer disease, gout and an increased level of stomach acidity.

Another contraindication is the individual intolerance to the product.

Green asparagus beans

Green asparagus beans are prized for their unique ability to keep out harmful substances from the environment. It always remains an environmentally friendly product.

Green asparagus beans can be used medicinally. It normalizes metabolism, treats bronchial asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Also, this plant is used in cosmetology, as it eliminates skin rashes, tones and relieves inflammation.

Asparagus beans are of great benefit for diabetes mellitus. In its effect, arginine is similar to insulin, which is why drinking a liter of juice from beans and carrots contributes to the fact that the body begins to produce it on its own.

The product contains a large percentage of iron. Because of this, it promotes the production of red blood cells in people with anemia. But you should not abuse legumes, so as not to harm your health.

In chronic hypertension, regular consumption of the vegetable helps to lower blood pressure, and it also has a beneficial effect on men suffering from male diseases.

Compared to the common varieties of this bean, green beans are not as rich in protein, but the vitamin content is slightly higher. These include:

• vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, PP;
• acids necessary for the body;
• cellulose;
• carbohydrates;
• fats.

It contains many minerals:

• sulfur;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• iron;
• chrome, etc.

Energy value (caloric content) of green asparagus beans is 31 kcal per 100 g of product.

The ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates:

• 1.82 g protein;
• 7.13 g carbohydrates;
• 0.12 g fat.

The consumption rates of this product depend on its use: for weight loss - 300-400 g per week, for treatment or prevention - 200-300 g per week. These beans can be given to children from one year old as a puree.

No matter how positive and useful green beans may seem to you, they have a number of contraindications to use and, in addition to benefits, can harm the body. So, it is not recommended to eat it for people suffering from peptic ulcer and gastritis.

Those who suffer from such ailments as:

• colitis;
• cholecystitis;
• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis.

Green beans should not be consumed by people with allergies to both the beans themselves and certain of their components.

Features of use during pregnancy

The benefits and harms of beans for the body of a pregnant woman:

1. Allows to prevent fetal pathologies due to folic acid (vitamin B9).
2. Prevention of toxicosis and anemia.
3. Reduces the risk of seizures.
4. Can cause flatulence if not cooked well enough. Ten minutes is enough to avoid this effect.
5. During pregnancy, you should skip canned beans if you are not sure about the quality of their processing.

Eating beans for weight loss

Beans are also useful during a diet:

1. The vitamins and minerals in this product normalize metabolism.
2. The high magnesium content increases stress resistance and improves sleep.
3. Due to its high protein content, the vegetable quickly satisfies hunger and takes a long time to digest.
4. It contains complex carbohydrates that are used by the body as a source of energy.
5. A large amount of dietary fiber has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora. This increases the absorption of nutrients, normalizes digestion and, as a result, weight.

Popular questions

We will answer the most frequently asked questions about beans and the characteristics of their use.

How are beans healthier?

It is better to use boiled beans, stewed with vegetables, spices. Steamed beans are very tasty: for this they are simply steamed, they make a sauce of rosemary, olive oil and lemon juice for it.

You can cook salads with beans, adding a lot of fresh herbs, pine nuts (a handful), dry ginger.

reference... Be sure to soak white, red and black beans, otherwise they will cook for hours. But after soaking, the cooking time is significantly reduced.

When added to soups, it is better to boil them in water, because the soup is already satisfying. And of course, not a single variety of beans will be useful if you often eat fatty dishes with meat, season them with sour cream, butter, stew or fry in lard.

What's the best way to cook to keep the benefits?

The only condition for cooking a vegetable is thorough heat treatment. All other methods, except for canning, are equivalent in terms of the degree of preservation of nutrients. Therefore, it is better to choose the type of preparation in accordance with your taste preferences.

How different is canned food from fresh beans?

Beans are not used raw, as they are too hard and can be harmful to health.

Canned beans, the benefits of which are quite high, retain almost all nutritional properties even with this method of harvesting. What are the benefits of canned beans?

It contains up to 70% vitamins compared to fresh food and up to 80% minerals... Of course, it contains no less proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber than the original raw materials.

If you have stomach problems, then canned beans should be limited or excluded from your diet. Children and elderly people should also eat this product with caution. It is advisable to start with very small portions. Pregnant women should not eat canned food to avoid harm to the fetus.

Reviews of medicinal properties

Reviews people leave completely different: someone shares their recipes, someone does not believe in traditional medicine, and someone is already coping with the disease with the help of a bean diet.

Here are a couple of reviews about benefit beans for people with diabetes:

Tatyana: «I have been suffering from diabetes for three years now. Every six months I am admitted to the hospital, because the sugar rises very quickly and very unexpectedly. The doctors prescribed me the strictest diet, the list of products included beans. On the Internet I found several recipes for its preparation and began to use it every day. As a result, my sugar dropped, my health is improving every day. I got the whole family hooked on this product. "

Valentine: «You know, and in my life there was a period of time when I ate a fairly large amount of beans, and every day. The fact is that about a year and a half ago I was admitted to the hospital. The doctors diagnosed me with diabetes. To lower my sugar, my doctor advised me to eat a lot of foods that contain copper. This component is also found in beans, and in large quantities. Now I feel much better! "

Note that exceeding the norms of consumption of beans by diabetics (and not only diabetics) negatively affects the pancreas due to trypsin inhibitors contained in large quantities in the beans of this plant.

Conclusion

Beans are rich in protein, carbohydrates and fats and can be substituted for meat. It also contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Regular use of this product is the prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system and many others. Beans are good for the skin, hair and stomach.

During pregnancy, legumes can be both beneficial and harmful, so you need to be careful with them at this time. Beans are a good source of folate and protein and can help relieve swelling. For people who want to lose their weight, this product is a great help. Its inclusion in the diet contributes to a significant improvement in the condition, including for diabetics.