The Superfood That Can Help Save the World

by | Aug 12, 2019

beanslegumes-1-6039729

Beans (legumes) are amazing. Technically they are a starchy vegetable but packed with protein – about 15g of protein per cup. Here are some of the health benefits:

  • Beans are packed with vitamins and nutrients, including copper, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc
  • Beans have a lot of fiber – which has all sorts of positive health effects – including making you feel full for longer
  • A study of older adults in five countries followed for 5-7 years found for every 1 ounce of daily legume intake, mortality declined 7-8%.
  • Bean consumption assists with weight loss
  • Eating beans reduces type-2 diabetes risk. Beans have a low glycemic index which helps regulate blood sugar.
  • Eating beans reduces LDL (“bad”) Cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease
  • Some types of legumes reduce colon cancer risk (notably soybeans)
  • They help keep your digestive tract in good running order and regular
  • They are relatively inexpensive – especially dried beans.

Now, on to how beans might help save the world. A recent study calculated that if every American substituted beans for beef (not all meat – just beef), 42% of U.S. cropland would be freed up and according to one of the study authors, “the nation could achieve more than half of its Greenhouse Gas reduction goals without imposing any new standards on automobiles or manufacturing.”

Of course, the study authors don’t realistically expect all Americans to stop eating beef and switch to eating more beans. The main point of the study is to highlight the environmental impact of livestock and how our food choices effect the environment. Related IFOD: Why I’m (Still) A Vegan

Other IFODs on Superfoods:

Go Nuts!

Blueberries are AMAZING!

Are Bananas Healthy?

Oranges – A Superfood

When Avocados Attack

Is Watermelon Good for You?

Is it Possible to Eat Too Much Fruit?

1 Comment

  1. Beans have always been music to my ears for me!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Archives

Subscribe To The IFOD

Get the Interesting Fact of the Day delivered twice a week. Plus, sign up today and get Chapter 2 of John's book The Uncertainty Solution to not only Think Better, but Live Better. Don't miss a single post!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This
%d bloggers like this: