There are so many benefits of red beans for health. In addition to losing weight, beans that resemble a kidney are also good for diabetics. Not only that, there are many other benefits that can be obtained by consuming red beans.
Behind its small size, red beans contain a variety of nutrients that are abundant and good for the health of the body. This type of bean is known to be rich in protein and is often used as a low-fat protein source for vegetarians.
In addition to protein, red beans also contain a variety of nutrients that are no less important, such as carbohydrates, fats, fiber, B vitamins, folate, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron.
Diverse Benefits of Red Beans
Thanks to its diverse nutritional content, there are various benefits of red beans for the health of the body, including:
1. Keeping heart health
Kidney beans contain potassium which is very important for maintaining heart health. A study shows that the benefits of red beans can improve blood vessel function, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
2. Prevent the growth of cancer cells
Not only maintaining heart health, red beans can also prevent the growth of cancer cells and one of them is colon cancer. This benefit comes from the fiber content in it which is good for colon health.
In addition to fiber, the benefits of red beans to prevent cancer also come from their antioxidant content.
3. Control blood sugar
Research shows that red beans have a low glycemic index, so they can help people with type 2 diabetes to control blood sugar levels and the effectiveness of insulin in the body.
However, you are advised to boil red beans yourself and avoid eating canned red beans because they are high in salt.
4. Meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women
The benefits of red beans are also good for pregnant women because they contain important nutrients for the health of the mother and fetus, such as protein, folic acid, and iron.
Pregnant women need more intake of iron and folic acid to support fetal growth. Iron deficiency during pregnancy can cause anemia, premature birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression.
5. Lose weight
Eating foods low in carbohydrates and high in fiber is one way to lose weight. Research shows that kidney beans can help with weight loss programs because they are rich in fiber and make you feel full longer.
However, of course, you also need to adopt a healthy diet and be diligent in exercising so that the weight loss program gives satisfactory results.
Although good for health, kidney beans can trigger the formation of excess gas in the intestines which causes bloating and discomfort. Therefore, you should be more careful when processing red beans.
Well, here are some ways to process red beans that you can do:
- Soak kidney beans for at least 4 hours before cooking and change the soaking water several times.
- Boil red beans for 45 minutes until they are soft in texture.
- Avoid using soaked water to boil red beans.
The benefits of red beans for health are so diverse. However, make sure you process it properly so that the benefits can be obtained optimally.
If you want to know more about the benefits of red beans or the right amount of red bean intake and according to your condition, you can consult a doctor or use the features chat with the doctor through the ALODOKTER application.