The diet of almost all peoples of the world includes bean dishes. This is not only a nutritious product, it enriches the body with the most important micronutrients. Traditional medicine has long used the fruits and other parts of the plant for medicinal purposes. Beans bring special benefits to diabetics, helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Doctors recommend not to get involved in legumes, as excessive consumption can be harmful to health.
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Origin history
According to scientists, the homeland of beans is Mexico. On the territory of this country, archaeologists during excavations found the seeds of the plant, testifying to its cultivation by the Aztec tribes. The Spanish monk and historian Bernardino de Sahagun mentioned in his works the use by the Indian people of various types of bean beans in culinary and cultural traditions. Information about growing and the application of culture found in the annals of ancient states (Greece, Rome, India, China). Beans came to Europe thanks to the expedition of Christopher Columbus. The French plant attracted with bright shades of its flowers. He was seated the yards of wealthy people. On the streets, winding stems of culture encircled the columns, arbors and walls of tall houses. Studies by a French doctor have shown that its fruits can be eaten.
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Botanists have identified about 97 species of legumes. The length of a winding shoot reaches 3 m, the shape of the flowers resembles the wings of a moth, and the fruits are curved beans. Harvested from mid-July to the end of September.
Species and their useful properties
The optimal conditions for plant growth are considered to be air temperature above 20 degrees, good illumination and moderate humidity. For industrial purposes, it is cultivated in countries with a suitable climate (France, Portugal, Italy, Bolivia). The remaining states grow beans for sale in their territories.
Depending on the color of the beans, 4 main types of culture are distinguished:
- Red
- White.
- Green
- Black.
The use of beans for the body is determined by the level of chemical elements in each species.
Red
This type of bean is recommended for athletes and people whose profession involves heavy physical exertion. A high level of soluble fiber activates energy production in the body by converting the fibers in the intestine into fatty acids. Red beans are used for weight loss. Vegetable protein is easily digested, and a person feels full even after a small portion. Nutritionists advise overweight patients to definitely include red bean dishes in their diet.
The composition is high in amino acids, vitamins and minerals that have a healing effect on the body:
- normalize sleep and psychoemotional state, reducing the risk of depression;
- rejuvenate the skin;
- remove toxins, preventing the process of malignancy of cells;
- stop the inflammation provoked by viruses and intestinal infection;
- improve the work of the adrenal glands and endocrine glands;
- activate the production of hemoglobin;
- regulate metabolism and normalize digestion;
- strengthen immunity.
Red beans are a valuable product for pregnant women, since during this period a woman needs a greater intake of folic acid. It reduces the risk of fetal abnormalities in the fetus and stimulates blood formation.
White
The list of chemical elements of red and white beans is almost identical. The difference lies only in their lower content in the varieties of the second type. Due to the low protein concentration, white bean dishes are recommended for weight loss, the elderly and patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular system. The presence of an antibacterial property in the product allows its use to protect teeth from plaque and tartar, which often cause tooth decay.
Green
The presence of vitamin A and beta carotene in the composition allows you to recommend the use of green beans to improve vision. Compared to other species, it is less caloric and practically does not contain proteins. It is such a product that is preferred for diabetics and overweight people.
Among the medicinal properties of beans are:
- red blood cell stimulation;
- body protection from dermatological problems;
- digestion normalization.
A common variety is asparagus beans, which reduces the risk of a heart attack. With moderate use, there are no problems, but in case of gastritis, the possibility of introducing the product into the menu should be discussed with the doctor. The benefit of this type of bean for women is to normalize the hormonal background. Irreplaceable dishes with beans during menopause, as they relieve symptoms and improve the emotional state.
Black
Often used to replace meat, because it is rich in vegetable protein, the structure of which resembles an animal. The high content of nutrients, especially anthocyanins, allows you to use a culture of this kind to stimulate brain activity, fight cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
The energy value of the product is the highest, so its intake should be limited when dieting. Diabetics, patients with pathologies of the heart and gastrointestinal tract need to check with their doctor the permissible intake.
Healing properties
Chemical elements in the composition of legume fruits have the following healing effects on the body:
You may be interested in:- cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies;
- regulate metabolism;
- increase the production of gastric juice and improve digestion;
- relieve asthma symptoms;
- natural antioxidants provide the elimination of free radicals and slow down the aging process;
- strengthen immunity, increasing the body's resistance to infectious agents;
- calcium and phosphorus strengthen bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and also maintain muscle tone;
- B vitamins nourish brain cells, slowing the rate of age-related changes that can cause Alzheimer's disease;
- increase the production of red blood cells, normalize blood pressure and improve the transport of oxygen to the tissues of organs;
- vitamins A and C help improve vision, and also prevent age-related degeneration of the lens, so beans are recommended in the treatment of cataracts;
- the amino acid arginine acts on the principle of insulin and lowers blood sugar;
- fiber helps the intestinal contents to move unhindered to the “exit”, which is used in the treatment of constipation;
- copper stimulates the production of enzymes responsible for joint elasticity. The use of the product relieves pain and relieves inflammation of the connective tissue, activating the process of its regeneration. This eases the symptoms of articular pathologies;
- zinc improves the condition of the skin and inhibits the growth of cancerous tumors;
- potassium has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart muscle, maintains a water-salt balance, ensures the removal of excess fluid and the elimination of swelling;
- Magnesium in combination with B vitamins stabilizes the nervous system, relieves fatigue, headache and prevents the development of depression.
Traditional healers recommend using decoctions based on fruits and bean pods for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. In order to avoid the development of complications, dishes with the product should not be present on the menu more often than 2-3 r. in Week.
In what form is more useful
Raw beans are rarely present on the menu. It is considered dangerous due to the presence in the composition of harmful substances that adversely affect the work of the digestive tract. The use of a raw product will lead to poisoning, so it is always subjected to heat treatment. Fruits can be frozen. This does not affect the chemical composition of the beans, but increases its nutritional value. The amount of protein increases by 2 p. An additional plus is to reduce cooking time. Heat treatment of any kind slightly affects the beneficial properties of the product. Eating stewed, boiled or baked beans reduces the risk of negative effects on the intestinal mucosa. They are pre-soaked for 10-12 hours, which helps to prevent the destruction of micronutrients during cooking.
After canning, about 80% of useful substances are preserved in the fruits, therefore, in terms of their healing effect, they are practically not inferior to frozen and heat-treated beans. The only negative is the use of animal fats in the preparation, which contribute to the gain of excess weight.
Benefit for health
Given the physiological characteristics of man, dishes with legumes have a specific healing effect on female, male and children's organisms.
For men
The fruits of the plant are rich in zinc, vitamin E and folate, which improve sperm quality and sperm motility. Together, these elements positively affect the reproductive ability of the male body and contribute to conception.
For men, the benefits of beans include building muscle. It is included in the diet by athletes who are fond of bodybuilding and heavy sports.
For women
The physiological feature of the female body is the monthly loss of blood during menstruation. In some cases, its volume exceeds the norm, which leads to the development of anemia. The use of bean beans helps to saturate the body with iron and increase hemoglobin levels.
Useful properties of the plant for women's health:
- strengthening hair roots;
- increase skin tone and smooth wrinkles;
- relieving nervous tension and preventing the development of depression;
- irritability reduction;
- increasing the possibility of conception.
The benefit of beans for older women is to rejuvenate the skin and prevent the development of various pathologies associated with age-related changes.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
The product is considered an excellent way to relieve toxicosis, prevent anemia and fetal abnormalities. The saturation of the body with folates in the first trimester helps to properly form the systems and organs of the child. Fiber relieves a woman of constipation, and a sufficient content of B vitamins normalizes the psychoemotional state and reduces anxiety. During lactation, the use of green fruits is permissible. Mom should monitor the condition of the baby, in the event of increased gas formation or bloating, to exclude them from the diet.
The benefits of beans during pregnancy and its harm are due to the norm of consumption of the product. Its presence in the menu should not exceed 2-3 p. in Week. The maximum serving size is 50-100 g.
For children
The immunity of babies is in the formation stage, so their body is more susceptible to infectious agents. This causes frequent colds and SARS. Bean dishes increase the protective function and reduce the risk of complications. Children often suffer from constipation, and fiber increases intestinal motility and helps to move its contents to the "exit". Vitamins and minerals activate mental activity and have a sedative effect on the nervous system, reducing the excitability of the child.
Disease treatment and prevention
In alternative medicine, ripe fruits are used to make medicine. Depending on the type of pathology, healers offer to prepare the following remedies:
- diabetes. Pour 6 white beans with 100 ml of boiled water, eat them in the morning 1 hour before meals and drink with the same liquid. The course of treatment lasts 1.5 months;
- hypertension, atherosclerosis. Boil 100 g of fruit in 1 liter of water for 20 minutes. Filter and take the broth for 30 minutes. before meals, 1 cup 2 r. in a day;
- joint diseases. Chopped beans are poured into 0.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil and filter. Broth drink before eating 3 p. per day, dividing the total volume into equal portions;
- wounds and skin diseases. The raw materials are ground to a powdery mass, which is applied in a small amount to the affected area. After 15-20 minutes the product is washed off with warm water;
- stomatitis. Pour 100 g of fruit with 0.2 l of boiled water and insist for 2-3 hours. The resulting solution is rinsed with mouth 4 r. in a day.
Before starting treatment, an allergy test should be performed. It will help confirm or refute individual intolerance. A few drops of the drug are applied to the skin of the back of the wrist and wait 20-30 minutes. If a rash, redness, burning and itching appears on this site, the product can not be used for medicinal purposes.
Body weight normalization
When losing weight on beans, you do not need to exhaust the body by starvation, as the product saturates for a very long time. Fiber in the composition helps to systematically cleanse the intestines, so toxins and toxins quickly leave the body. Green beans are especially beneficial for weight loss. Its calorie content is as low as possible, so beans are considered a good dietary dish.They go well with meat and other vegetables.
Beans help people who are overweight to get rid of the habit of eating at night and lose about 4 kg in 10 days. To do this, for dinner (3 hours before bedtime), it is recommended to use bean soup prepared according to the following recipe:
- boil 0.2 kg of green beans with finely chopped carrots and onions;
- in 10 minutes chopped tomato is added until tender.
Before serving, a little lemon juice is poured into the soup to improve the taste. The diet should contain vegetables, green fruits and dairy products of low fat content.
Application in cosmetology
Cleopatra herself used masks with the effect of skin tightening, so modern girls do not need to be distrustful of such methods of rejuvenation. This is a lifting at home.
Benefits of Bean Beans for Skin:
- even out the tone of the face;
- smooth wrinkles;
- stop the inflammation that caused acne;
- increase tone, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin;
- eliminate circles with one eye;
- cleanse the face of black spots and greasy plugs.
To obtain a mask with a rejuvenating effect, the boiled fruits are crushed with a blender and then mixed with olive oil and lemon juice until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The product is applied to the face and after 30 minutes. washed off with warm water.
Cooking Application
In the countries of Asia and South America, dishes with beans are considered the main ones on holidays. Europeans do not often use the product, but various soups and salads attract with their taste. Thanks to amino acids and protein, legume fruits completely replace meat, so they are introduced into the diet by vegetarians and believers during the fasting period. The ease of cooking dishes with beans lies in its combination with almost any product. Beans are added to soups, salads and served as a side dish for fish or meat. In the preparation often use various herbs.
In order to maintain maximum value and eliminate the harm to the health of beans, it must first be soaked for 2 hours, and then be sure to boil until completely cooked. The volume of one serving should not exceed 150 g. This will help to avoid flatulence.
Harm and contraindications
How harmful the beans are to the human body depends on its individual characteristics. In rare cases, an allergic reaction occurs when eating fruits, so doctors advise eating no more than 2-3 pcs for the first time. beans. If during the day there are no deviations in well-being, you can gradually increase the dosage to 150 g per day.
Useful properties and contraindications to the use of beans are due to its chemical composition. Polysaccharides cause harm, when broken, the intestinal microflora are activated and an increased amount of gases is released. This leads to pain and bloating.
The use of plant fruits is contraindicated in the following pathologies:
- pancreatitis
- cholecystitis;
- gastritis;
- ulcer;
- colitis.
Beans can be harmed by people with gout and kidney disease. The breakdown product of purines present in the fruit is uric acid. It accumulates in the kidneys and leads to an exacerbation of existing pathologies.
Reviews
Tatyana, 30 years old, Nizhny Novgorod:
I had health problems due to a lack of iron in food. I heard reviews about the benefits of beans and decided to enter it into my menu. My well-being gradually returned to normal. I try 2-3 p. prepare soup or salad per week. The husband also liked the dishes. He is interested in sports, and such food gives him strength.
Katerina, 38 years old, Donetsk:
Dishes with beans help maintain normal blood glucose levels. 4 months later The doctor regularly reduced their dosage of sugar-lowering drugs to their regular use. For children, the benefits of the product are also huge.It became easier for them to absorb the material of the school curriculum, and the frequency of their incidence of viral infections decreased markedly.
Anna, 43 g, Yeysk:
I use a product for weight loss. I combine it with various vegetables and add it when cooking the first dishes. They turn out tasty, nutritious and allow not to feel hunger for a long time. On such a diet in a short time, you can lose 3-4 kg of excess weight.
Bean culture is famous for many useful properties, but it is advised to enter it carefully. Some components of the chemical composition can adversely affect human health and cause exacerbation of chronic pathologies. Knowing the benefits of beans and its harm to the body, you can avoid such problems and significantly improve your well-being.
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