Ever since I've decided to go organic, I haven't heard the end of it from my Dominican suegra and a couple of other folks who think I'm adapting a much more "gringa" lifestyle. But they really don't get it. Just because I'm not eating fried tostones, white rice and carne roja on a regular basis doesn't mean I don't cook Latin food. In fact, I still make beans–and quite often, actually. If it's not black beans Saturdays it's lentil soup on Wednesdays and garbanzo any other day out of the week. And they should be proud that I do because according to a new study, we all need to add more beans into our diets. Apparently they reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases by reducing bad cholesterol. How amazing is that?
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According to lead researcher, Dr. John Sievenpiper, you can experience a 5 percent decrease in your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) just by eating one serving of beans a day. Cool, right? And if your cholesterol goes down it can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by 5 or 6 percent. People tend to underestimate the benefits behind this super food. Beans are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and protein. They also provide little to no fat and are completely cholesterol-free. Here are five other reasons why you should be eating more beans:
They keep you regular: Beans are considered a high-fiber food, allowing you to move your bowels regularly. And because they're filled with fiber and water content they help you feel fuller, faster so you eat less without feeling deprived.
They are low in sugar: If you're a diabetic or borderline diabetic, beans are a great food to incorporate into your diet. They are low in sugar and prevent the insulin in your bloodstream from spiking or making you feel hungry. A lot of doctors recommend to diabetic patients or people with high-cholesterol to substitute beans for meat.
They can help prevent cancer: Beans are loaded with natural antioxidants which prevents cell-damaging free radicals from developing in your body. Remember free radicals are what can lead to serious illness such as cancer, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
They can make you look and feel younger: Antioxidants found in beans can also prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles and dark spots. It's anti-aging super food.
They can help you lose weight: Because they digest slowly, they keep you satisfied for longer without the excessively high calories that come with more complex carbs. A small bowl of beans usually does it for me.
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