Is Beans Make You Fat
While current dietary guidelines recommend women get about 25 grams of fiber a day, many fall short.Beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, so they work double to keep your digestive system running smoothly.On top of being high in fiber, most beans also score low on the glycemic index, a ranking of foods based on how they affect blood sugar."Because of the fiber and protein, the carbs in beans get absorbed at a slower rate over a longer period of time," Sass said.High levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) can stick to the walls of your blood vessels, causing inflammation and plaque buildup."The soluble fiber in beans binds to cholesterol in the GI tract, which prevents it from being absorbed in the blood," Sass said.Researchers found that getting in an additional 7 grams of fiber per day could significantly lower your risk of developing either condition by 9 percent.Potassium naturally removes excess sodium and water from your system, which can reduce blood pressure, Sass said.Magnesium on the other hand aids in nerve function and blood pressure regulation, according to the National Institutes of Health."In the GI tract, fiber fills you up, but it doesn't get digested and absorbed into the blood stream where it either has to be burned or stored," Sass said.Current guidelines suggest women get about 18 milligrams of iron a day, but many fall short of that goal.Eating beans is one way to get started on boosting your iron intake: a half cup of cooked lentils for instance has 3.3 milligrams.In many bean varieties, you'll find thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, B6, and folate—B vitamins that help you convert food to energy, boost good cholesterol, and reduce inflammation, among other things.While you can also get your intake of B vitamins from fish, whole grains, and veggies, adding beans to your diet is a great way to keep your body going strong."One in particular called saponins has been shown to block the reproduction of cancer cells and slow the growth of tumors," Sass said