6 reasons to eat more beans and lentils Packed with nutrients, legumes are natures almost-perfect food. Here are 6 reasons to eat more of them By Margaret Nearing 1. Control your weight A recent study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people who eat beans had a 22 percent lower risk of obesity and were more likely to have a smaller waist than people who didn’t eat beans. Beans are high in soluble fibre, which slows digestion and makes you feel full longer. One cup (250 mL) of black beans, for example, provides 60 percent of the daily value (DV)* for fibre. 2. Pump more iron Combining iron-rich beans and lentils with good sources of vitamin C increases the body’s ability to absorb the iron. Lentils are a great source of iron; one cup provides 37 percent of the DV. 3. Lower cancer risk In a review of dietary data from 90,630 women age 26 to 46, scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who ate beans and lentils at least twice a week had a 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who ate them just once a month. 4. Boost your enzymes Copper—a trace mineral key to the function of several enzymes —is crucial for making skin pigment and connective tissues. One cup of adzuki beans has 34 percent of copper’s DV. 5. Control high blood pressure A recent Australian study found that dietary protein and soluble fibre help prevent hypertension and improve control of it. The researchers suggested legumes as a way to increase both nutrients in your daily diet.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:59:59 +0000
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