Beans have got a bit of a bad reputation down the years for making us gassy, but we’d like to put the record straight here and grant beans a pardon: Beans. Are. Awesome. If anyone tells you any different, they’re lying to you. We’ve got the experts on our side, who recommend eating 3 cups of beans each week. Yup, that’s how good these little legumes are.
Moreover, if you are worried about gas, check this fact out: The more beans you eat, the less belly issues you’ll have. According to Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD and author of Slim Down Now: Shed Pounds and Inches with Real Food, Real Fast, “people who eat lots of beans on a consistent basis experience less gas and bloating than people who consumer them less often.”
Savvy?
Beans Are Full of Fibre
If you’re looking to lose a bit of weight, beans are the way forward. Because they’re jam packed in fibre, they’ll help you to feel more full. Too many of us don’t consume nearly enough fibre, and because beans are so convenient, they provide the perfect way for us to stock up on the stuff. Even better, the fibre found in beans is hard to break down, which basically means it will barely wear off. Result.
They’re Great For Digestion
Beans contain two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. This pair of fibres put in double the effort to make sure your digestive system is ticking over perfectly. Soluble fibre works at slowing down your digestion – which helps to make you feel fuller for longer – whilst the insoluble stuff helps to ward off constipation.
A bonus is that the whole “beans give you gas” adage is a total myth. The more beans you eat, the less flatulence you’ll have.
They Help To Regulate Blood Sugar
Brilliantly, beans help to keep your bloody sugar ticking over nicely, thanks to them scoring low on the old glycemic scorecard. For this reason, beans are awesome at helping to ward off diabetes – and they’re also good for keeping it in check. If you do happen to have diabetes, or if there is a history of diabetes in your family, consuming just a single cup of beans each day will help you maintain a a steady blood sugar.
They Can Help To Lower Cholesterol
If you want a healthy cardiovascular system, it’s all well and good popping to the gym each day and putting in some cardio, but the real work starts with your diet. If you’re looking to fight high levels of cholesterol, beans should be the first players you pick. According to research, beans can reduced your LDL cholesterol levels by a mega 5%.
