Many times, the health benefits of beans get overlooked because people associate eating beans with the gas that can follow. Beans may be small, but they are surprisingly rich and varied in substances that are vital for good health. They are full of nutrients, including folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper, as well as protein and fiber. Beans are linked to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and maintaining good colon health. There has even been a link between beans and a decreased risk of some cancers. Beans can also help with weight loss as they are metabolized more slowly than other complex carbs. That means they can work to help you feel full without a lot of calories.
There are Many Types of Beans
Beans, also known as legumes, belong to a very large category of vegetables, containing 13,000 species. They are right behind grains in supplying calories and protein to the world’s population. Beans have about the same number of calories as grains but have two to four times as much protein. With so many beans to choose from there’s one bound to tickle your taste buds. Green, red, black, pinto, to name a few. Each with a distinct taste along with a certain effect on the body.
Protein in Beans
There are those that will stay away from beans because they don’t contain all the essential amino acids that our bodies need. Foods that do contain ample amounts of essential amino acids include meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. It’s important to note that you do not need to get all the amino acids you need from animal proteins. This is good to know when you consider all the antibiotics and chemicals that are used when raising cattle and poultry and should only be eaten in moderation anyway.
Beans are High in Fiber
Depending on the beans you’re eating you can get between 5 and 9 grams of fiber in 100 grams of beans. Dried beans are not completely digested. The undigested material will sit in the colon and bacteria will start to feed on it. This will release chemicals that tell your liver to reduce the production of cholesterol. Your blood will then speed up the process of getting dangerous LDL cholesterol out. Fiber can also work like a mop to whisk cholesterol from the intestines and out of your system.
Do Beans Cause Gas?
Back to the gas that can come with eating beans. Because beans are not digested completely it can cause flatulence or intestinal discomfort for some. There is a fiber in beans that is composed of three to five sugar molecules. These molecules are linked together in a way where the body can’t digest or absorb them. When they pass into the intestines, bacteria will break them down and produce gas. You can decrease the chance you’ll deal with these issues if you properly cook or sprout them.
Mexican Black Beans
Black beans or frijoles negros are literally black, and are typically seasoned with ingredients like salt, garlic, oregano, onions and more. You can enjoy black beans in our BBQ Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Salad.
Refried Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are often prepared in a mashed and refried form. Refried beans are used very often as side dish to entrees. You can find refried beans in many of our dishes such as our Bean Dip appetizer, Fajitas, Eggs and Specialty Dishes such as our Pollo Con Espinaca, Carne Asada, Steak Ranchero, Shrimp a La Vera Cruz, Pollo Verde, Tostada Grande and Carnitas to name a few.
Traditional Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV & Henderson, NV)
Beans are a significant staple of Mexican cuisine. Being an authentic Mexican food restaurant, we at Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant are no strangers to using beans in our dishes. Mexican food is an experience, and we encourage you to explore all our authentic dishes. Your stomach will thank you later. Visit Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant to enjoy a night out and incorporate some of the health benefits of beans in your diet. We are excited to serve you, your friends and family!