Staples in European and South American cooking, haricot beans are available all year round. You can get your hands on them canned or dried, which can last for several years provided that these legumes are stored in a cool and dry place. What’s so nice about haricot beans is even though they have a bland taste, they actually soak up the flavors of other ingredients, making just about any culinary masterpiece of yours that has them really mouthwatering!
Just like other legumes, haricot beans are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals, making them ideal for people who are conscious about their health. Needless to say, legumes such as haricot beans are perfect for vegans because they supply impressive amounts of protein which is good for building muscles and production of certain hormones.
Baked or boiled, haricot beans are undeniably good for you. Having them included in your diet on a regular basis can make it easier for you to stay in the pink of health. However, it’s a good idea for you to eat haricot beans in moderation if you are prone to gout attacks (because purines in them can increase uric acid) or forming excess gas. But provided that you consume them moderately only every now and then, there should be no problem whatsoever.
Here are some of the incredible health benefits that haricot beans are known to bring:
Stronger and Bigger Muscles
One of the key nutrients found abundantly in haricot beans is protein, which is essential for making the muscles stronger and bigger. No matter if you are trying to lose excess pounds or maintain your deal weight, it’s a good idea for you to build muscles to keep your metabolism running, and thus excess calories are always burned.
Heavy on the Stomach
Including haricot beans in the diet is especially beneficial for individuals who are gaining or cannot shed off unwanted pounds due to overeating or excessive snacking. That’s because they are so heavy on the stomach that the last thing that would enter your mind is having seconds or reaching for unhealthy treats.
Regular Bowel Movement
There are loads and loads of fiber that you can obtain from haricot beans, which means that regularly consuming these legumes can help keep you from having constipation. A diet that consists of good amounts of haricot beans and other fiber-containing foods may help lower your risk of colon cancer, too, say medical professionals.
Controlled Levels of Blood Sugar
Adding haricot beans in the diet regularly is perfect for people who are diagnosed with diabetes. It’s for the fact that fiber in these legumes assists in regulating the amount of sugar from food that gets to the bloodstream. Haricot beans are good not only for people with diabetes, but also those who are at high risk of the disease.
Increased Energy Levels
Haricot beans are excellent sources of B vitamins that help convert the food you eat into energy that your cells may use. In other words, consuming these beans allows you to feel really energetic both physically and mentally — that’s because B vitamins are also necessitated for the proper functioning of the brain and nerve cells.
Healthier Cardiovascular System
Another nutrient that you can obtain from haricot beans is potassium. As everybody knows, this mineral is very good at keeping the blood pressure normal. No one wants to have high blood pressure that’s uncontrolled because, in time, it can cause damage to the blood vessels, heart and many other organs, too.
Lesser Infection Risk
Finally, your body is also supplied with vitamin C each time you include haricot beans in your diet. This only means that your immune system will get stronger, lowering your risk of suffering from the cold, flu and other infections of the upper respiratory system. By the way, vitamin C is also good for the skin and gums.
