By Carol Fenster, Ph.D.
You can’t beat beans for a food that’s almost perfect: low in fat and sodium, but high in fiber and protein. In fact, 1 cup of beans contains 13 grams of fiber, nearly half of what most of us need per day. (Most adults need between 25 and 38 grams of fiber daily). Eating beans has many benefits, such as a lower risk of obesity and a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. This may surprise you, but darker beans such as red, pinto, and kidney beans have even more anthocyanins than blueberries and cranberries which are often touted as the highest sources. Continue reading “Beans: Nature’s Perfect Food”