They're high in fiber, high in protein, high in vitamins and minerals. They lower cholesterol and appear to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. No, they aren't an organically engineered super food. They're plain, old-fashioned beans. Turns out they are way ahead of us in terms of health.
Beans are one of the oldest dietary staples.
But while more than a third of the world's supply of legumes are cultivated in the United States, Americans have only recently begun to realize that the enormous health benefits of the small dried seeds may be more than just a lot of hot air. Beans are high in both. Soluble fiber, like the inside of an apple or the soft, mushy inside of a kidney bean, can help with weight control and colon ailments. Fiber will attract water and hold it. It will swell and become bulky and give you a sense of fullness.