Beneficial and harmful properties of beans for the health of the body

Beans are a food that can cause harm to the body and provide health benefits. If heat treatment is carried out correctly, the beans are very tasty and have a high energy value. There are many bean varieties. They differ from each other, you need to know how to eat them correctly.

What are beans - history of origin

The culture is a genus of plants from the legume family. There are about 100 species worldwide. Beans are planted to produce fruits (seeds) that are eaten. The flowers of the plant are popular because of their climbing properties.

The legume plant did not immediately become famous among European culinary specialists for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Initially, residential buildings and public buildings were decorated with brightly colored flowers. It was one of the most beloved plants among the French population. That's why they were called French beans in ancient times.

In the 18th century, Europeans noticed not only the taste of the vegetable crop, but also the benefits it brought to the human body. Residents of Poland began to eat beans. Other countries then followed suit. Today it is prepared both in our country and in neighboring and even other continents.

Where and how beans grow - producing countries

Bean plantations today can be found in every corner of the planet. Leaders in vegetable cultivation are representatives of all continents, except Antarctica and Australia.The plant is grown in regions with warm climates. To produce a harvest, the crop must be provided with sunlight and light drainage soil. Many areas encounter similar conditions, which is why bean growing is so common.

Top ten leaders in growing legumes:

• Netherlands;
• USA;
• China;
• Canada;
• Brazil;
• Nicaragua;
• Argentina;
• Mexico;
• Ethiopia;
• Egypt.

Beans are grown regularly in these countries. Vegetable crops are not only used within the country, but also exported to others. Despite industrial cultivation, many people sow the crop and harvest it at home. The first place in growing legumes went to China.

Properties and chemical composition of beans

The content of B vitamins and ascorbic acid in beans contributes to the easy absorption of proteins by the human body. Vitamin PP regulates protein metabolism, contributing to the normal functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. The vegetable crop also contains nicotinic acid.

It not only keeps the intestinal mucosa in a normal state, but also regulates blood pressure and is involved in digestion.

The calorie content and nutritional value of beans plays an important role among people who decide to fight excess weight. Beans help control body weight for people who want to always keep their levels normal. Depending on the variety, the seeds of the crop have from 290 to 305 kcal per 100 g. The pod type of vegetable is no less beneficial for the body than the shelled type. It has a large amount of fiber, and 100 g of product contains 32 kcal.

Another property of beans is their high protein content. This fact is a direct indication for modern people to consume the vegetable.How is culture useful besides the listed advantages? The seeds and leaves are saturated with important substances necessary for the full functioning of the human body.

Types of beans and their features

People are accustomed to dividing vegetables into types depending on the color and shape of the fruit. The beans themselves can be shelled or green. If the fruits ripen, the pod becomes unfit for consumption as its fibers harden. There are also semi-sugar varieties that are versatile. This is not only a source of juicy pods, but also a harvest of beans.

Red

The composition of the crop directly affects the beneficial properties and harm that it can cause to the human body. 100 g of dry product contains the daily requirement of fiber. This amount is enough to saturate a person, remove toxins and reduce the likelihood of the formation of malignant tumors. Raw beans are a source of toxic elements, the destruction of which occurs under the influence of high temperatures. A prerequisite before eating beans is 5-6 rinses before cooking.

White

White beans are not recommended for people suffering from gastritis or ulcers. Such food can aggravate the already serious condition of the body. Healthy people complain that they feel bloated after eating vegetables. To avoid signs of flatulence, add dill or fennel to the water during cooking. A little trick works and it brings the desired result. The product should be included in the diet of patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Black

As a rule, the seeds are small in size and, most interestingly, have the highest calorie content.This is confirmed by the fact that they contain the highest amount of protein compared to other representatives of the plant. The fruits of the crop are also recommended for people who complain of pain in the heart area.

If seeds are included in the diet, intake of the product should be moderate.

You should not eat beans if your body cannot tolerate them. Even a harmless amount of crop seeds can cause serious and severe poisoning. Therefore, to protect your own health, it is better to refuse them. Water helps digest the product and you should drink as much of it as possible.

Capsicum

The benefits of this variety of culture are explained by the content of starch, amino acids, protein and minerals. Moreover, these substances are found not only in the seeds, but also in the pods. Green bean may cause diarrhea or constipation. This should be monitored by people who have a tendency to have unstable stools.

To avoid complications associated with the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to control the amount of beans consumed.

Asparagus

It is a variety of capsicum. The only difference is the elongated shape. People call it asparagus, meaning that it is the unripe fruit of the common bean. The pods of the crop may be green, yellow or purple.

The pods are a source of elements necessary for the human body. They have a delicate taste and soft texture. It is popular among adherents of a healthy, yet satisfying diet. The vegetable goes well with all foods, including vegetables. It cooks quickly and absorbs spices and herbs, becoming even tastier as it cooks.

In what form is it more useful?

Capsicum is tasty in canned form, fresh and does not lose its beneficial properties when frozen.If these are peeling fruits, they are prohibited from being eaten raw. Eating raw beans can cause poisoning. To alleviate the condition and normalize the functioning of the digestive system, it is necessary to rinse the stomach. After this, it would be useful to use an absorbent drug. It will remove toxins from the body and the person will feel much better.

Fresh and frozen green beans - which is healthier?

As you know, fresh foods contain the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals and organic substances. The same goes for green beans. To preserve as many useful elements as possible, the beans are frozen. The cooling process contributes to the retention of valuable substances in the dietary fiber of the vegetable.

The procedure of freezing the culture does not destroy the amino acid arginine, which is important for the body. If we are talking about industrial freezing of a large-scale harvest of pods, a system of partial dehydration of products using a vacuum is used. In this regard, asparagus stored in freezers has much more protein than fresh. This is why bean pods, which are sold packaged in markets, are so popular.

Cooked - boiled, stewed or baked

The beans from the green bean pods can also be used as food. Before cooking, they are soaked in water for several hours. This will make them softer and speed up the cooking process. After soaking, any heat treatment does not affect the content of nutrients in the crop. Boiling, stewing or baking does not destroy them.

Canned

This is also a good way to make vegetable preparations for the winter.The advantage of the procedure is that during canning, 70 to 80% of the nutrients are retained. Such food is highly nutritious for humans and is rich in fiber. The culture contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. The product is useful to include in the diet of people suffering from colds.

Regular consumption of canned beans not only calms the nervous system, but also has a diuretic effect. The beans can be in oil or tomato juice with the addition of grated carrots. People who often eat such food note an improvement in appetite and normalization of digestion processes. In turn, this has a positive effect on a person’s appearance.

Benefits for human health

One of the main stages in the treatment of many diseases is proper nutrition. If metabolic processes are disturbed in the body, beans are the very product that stabilizes the functioning of not only individual organs, but also the entire body as a whole. The vegetable is used in dietary nutrition. The culture gives a feeling of fullness due to its high fiber content.

The benefits of beans are noted by people who subject their bodies to frequent physical and emotional stress. Beans can restore strength and peace of mind to a person. At the same time, the immune system is strengthened. Medical professionals strongly recommend that their patients consume beans if possible.

For men

If a person suffers from diseases of the genitourinary system, this affects his well-being. The substances that make up beans take an active part in the process of restoring the functioning of organs. Beans are Viagra for a man.Beans are good for the health of the strong half of humanity in the sense that under the influence of protein, a rapid increase in muscle mass occurs.

For women

Beans, regardless of the type - beans or pods, have a positive effect on the reproductive system. Plays an important role for women's health. The culture contains iron, which is necessary to maintain normal hemoglobin levels in the blood. This is very important for the body, especially if a woman is going through her critical days. The question remains relevant when carrying a child and during lactation.

Beans contain another component - tyrosine. It helps normalize endocrine functions for which the thyroid gland is responsible. It is also worth mentioning lysine. Its action is aimed at combating microorganisms that are viral or infectious in nature. Suppresses the growth of benign and malignant tumors.

It will be especially beneficial for women whose bodies are experiencing hormonal changes. This could be preparation for bearing a baby or menopause.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

The healing properties of beans prevent the development of anemia in a woman who is carrying a fetus. This is due to the content of histidine. The product replenishes the female body with calcium. Despite these features, the culture should be eaten with caution. A large amount of beans can harm not only the expectant mother, but also the baby.

Processing beans is not limited to boiling, stewing or baking. Dry beans are used to make mash jars, to which flour is also added. The product enhances the formation of breast milk. It is useful for women who need to increase the tone of the uterus.

For children

Beans rarely cause allergy symptoms. Because of this, it has become one of the most favorite foods of pediatricians. They recommend introducing it into the diet from 8-9 months, while combining it with dietary meat. This applies to green beans.

In the first years of life, a child's stomach is very tender and is unable to digest certain foods. In the 4th year of life, parents try to give their children red and white beans, but not earlier. At the same time, you need to monitor how the baby’s body behaves. Beans are not given in their pure form, but are combined with tomatoes, onions and carrots. It can be prepared as a puree or soup.

Use for treatment and prevention of diseases

Beans are an ingredient used to prevent and treat many diseases. It could be a mild cold or serious damage to internal organs. In any case, the medicinal properties have a positive effect on the body. The substances in beans get to the very source of inflammation and help the body cope with the pathology.

Flavonoids contained in green bean pods have a disinfecting effect. Constant consumption of vegetables supports the immune system and helps it resist viruses and infections. Beans are especially useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The culture effectively treats atherosclerosis and prevents its development in the future.

For diseases of the heart and blood vessels

For the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, the body needs many substances. The condition of blood vessels depends on folic acid, copper, magnesium and iron. All these substances are also found in beans. Dishes containing not only whole beans, but also cereals or flour, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and strengthen their walls.

Diseases of the stomach, kidneys and bladder

An abundance of fiber, glucosides and protein is not always good. In some cases, these components can cause pain and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating. The product should be discarded in the following cases:

• ulcers;
• colitis;
• gastritis with low, high and normal gastric acidity.

Since beans are a solid food, they are difficult for the body to digest, and this fact must always be taken into account. The stomach, if it cannot fully function, will have a much harder time doing this. This doesn't mean you have to give up beans forever. When the condition returns to normal, it is necessary to gradually accustom the stomach to such food.

The water in which the pods are cooked can also be beneficial to the human body. It is used to treat kidney and bladder diseases. The product is drunk three times a day, 100-120 ml. The liquid relaxes the area of ​​tissue in which the inflammatory process is located and facilitates the drainage of fluid in case of urolithiasis.

Joint damage, nervous system disorders

Beans contain such a vital element as magnesium. Affects many processes occurring in the human body. With its help, the functionality of the heart muscles and nervous system is stabilized. This makes it easier for the body to cope with stress in difficult situations.

Insulin dependence

Bean infusions have valuable properties for people suffering from diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease. Beans contain arginine, a substance that can have an insulin-like effect on metabolism. This helps reduce blood glucose levels. The fact that the grains of the crop do not contain carbohydrates that are easily absorbed by the body also deserves special attention.In turn, they do not provoke a rapid increase in the indicator after use.

Skin diseases: wounds, cracks, ulcers

The use of legumes is not limited to this. The grains are used to prepare a product that quickly heals any damage to the skin. Dry bean seeds grind to a powder. A coffee grinder or mortar will help with this.

The resulting powder is applied to the wound, putting a bandage on top. The medicine must be used to lubricate the lesions that were previously treated with an antiseptic. The skin around the wound should also be clean. The medicine, prepared at home, is effective for cuts, cracks, ulcers and burns.

Rheumatism and gout

White bean seeds are used to treat:

• gout;
• rheumatism.

The benefits for the body are explained by the high content of purines. Under the influence of the substances, the metabolic process is normalized, the level of urea decreases, and the person feels much better. Their consumption should be minimal without harm to health. Fresh green beans will help alleviate a person’s condition with rheumatoid arthritis.

Oral diseases

Bean seeds are valued for their medicinal properties that help maintain human oral health. Regular consumption of food allows you to get rid of such problems as tartar. The same beans act as a preventative against dental plaque. The substances in the product strengthen tooth enamel and also whiten it.

Doctors working in dentistry strongly recommend that people eat beans. Beans contain calcium and phosphorus, which take part in the formation of the skeleton and teeth. Metabolic processes in the body depend on their condition.If calcium and phosphorus levels are within normal limits, effective muscle function will be ensured.

Male diseases

Vegetables help get rid of diseases that strike a man at any time in his life. We are talking about simple infections that can change to serious pathologies. The main role is played by diseases of the body affecting the genitourinary system. In this case, beans are included in the preventive diet at the time of treatment of the disease.

Normalization of body weight and weight loss

The plant is popular among people who are losing weight. A small amount of boiled, stewed or baked grains gives a feeling of fullness. Although beans are a dietary product, their consumption should be limited. Otherwise, culture will have the opposite effect.

Fans of sports and proper nutrition use the vegetable on fasting days. Due to the large amount of protein, beans have taken a leading place among other products consumed by vegetarians. Vegetables also form the basis of diets.

Application in cosmetology

Nature has gifted the fair half of humanity with another amazing means of maintaining beauty - beans. Unfortunately, in the modern world, few people use traditional medicine, and they do not know what they are missing.

Our grandmothers really knew a lot about beauty. Therefore, beans were used with great success.

The plant improves the appearance of the skin. Prepared bean puree is used as a face mask. The soft composition reduces the production of sebum, heals inflamed areas, and also smoothes wrinkles. A bean decoction made from grains has a similar effect. It is used as water for washing or tonic for wiping the face.

Use of beans in cooking

Bean dishes can be found in cuisines all over the world. They form the basis of a simple diet, as well as delicious treats. Under the guidance of skilled chefs, the product turns into a work of art. Some masters try to surprise gourmets with their work and serve sweet bean dishes.

Every housewife has a container of beans in her arsenal. Beans are used to make cereal, which is then added to the first hot dishes. Served whole as part of main courses. Add the right vegetables to make a savory pureed bean soup.

During the cooking process, you can use any type of heat treatment:

1. Varku.
2. Extinguishing.
3. Baking.

The beans are made into a stew by adding ingredients such as meat, fish and vegetables. Every person who is interested in cooking should make bean pate at least once in their life. This amazing delicacy will please everyone. It contains only natural ingredients.

Storage conditions and methods

Both whole dried beans and green beans are suitable for storage. The grains of the crop are poured into glass jars or any other containers in which they can be stored for 2-3 years. This technique is suitable for all types of shelled beans. Periodically, the contents of the jar are inspected for the presence of pests.

To keep the beans intact, add 5 cloves of garlic. It may be peeled or peeled. This little trick has come to modern man since ancient times.

Green capsicum beans can also be stored, but in freezer conditions. The pods are washed, dried and, if necessary, cut into pieces.It can be boiled before putting it in the freezer or boiled before cooking. If beans are needed to prepare a dish in 1-2 days, the pods are stored in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf or in the vegetable compartment.

Contraindications, possible side effects, harm

Among the main contraindications are:

1. Individual intolerance.
2. Gastritis with high acidity.
3. Stomach ulcers.
4. Acute form of colitis, pancreatitis and cholecystitis.

Beans can cause damage to the body, even if a person is healthy. Side effects include heaviness in the stomach and increased gas formation. To reduce the harmful effects on the body, bean dishes are consumed separately from bread products. In order to minimize the occurrence of heaviness in the stomach, the beans are flavored with a good portion of herbs and spices. This will make the culture less dangerous for the body.

Despite the harm of beans, it remains one of the most effective foods. To get the maximum benefit from a vegetable crop, it is necessary to prepare it properly and consume it in small quantities.