Dried beans help with weight loss and cancer prevention.
Dried beans is a general term for many types of beans such as black beans, green beans, red beans, soybeans, etc. A study showed that consuming dried beans helps reduce the incidence of many types of cancer.
According to K Hospital, dried beans have relatively similar nutritional compositions but differ in flavor, texture, and color.
These dried beans are high in protein and fiber, low in saturated fat, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, dried beans play an important role in the diet and offer many health benefits, including cancer prevention.
Dried beans offer many health benefits. Photo: Getty
1. Cancer prevention
An epidemiological study conducted in 41 countries showed that consuming dried beans reduced the incidence of colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
2. Anti-inflammatory effects
Due to their phenolic compound content, dried beans offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
Randomized controlled trials conducted on humans have also demonstrated that consuming 100g of black bean powder for three days improved arthritis symptoms.
3. Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
According to the Clinical Nutrition Center at K Hospital, dried bean hulls contain anthocyanin compounds along with a large amount of soluble fiber with a low glycemic index. This helps reduce glucose absorption in humans and lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Several clinical studies have shown that consuming three or more servings of beans per week reduces the risk of developing diabetes by nearly 35% compared to those who consume few or no beans.
4. Weight loss
Dried beans contain a relatively high amount of phytate. Phytate reduces the rate of starch digestion in vitro and slows postprandial glucose absorption in humans, contributing to increased satiety and delaying the return of hunger.
Additionally, the fiber in dried beans increases fermentation in the colon, slowing down gastric emptying. This reduces appetite, decreases calorie intake, and helps with effective weight loss.
Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that consuming dried beans four or more times a week helps reduce harmful blood lipid levels in the body, while also lowering the risk of cardiovascular and coronary artery diseases.
With the many benefits of dried beans, experts recommend that families include this food in their meals. However, patients with gout or high uric acid levels in the blood should not eat too many beans (especially black beans) because their relatively high purine content can worsen their condition.
Cancer patients need to eat a balanced diet containing all four food groups: carbohydrates, protein, fats, and vitamins and minerals. Protein from fish, shrimp, nuts, etc., is recommended as a substitute for red meat.
