Health benefits and harms of white beans, varieties and cultivation

Among legumes, beans hold a place of honor due to their high protein content. This annual herbaceous crop is grown for culinary use, and a variety of delicious and nutritious dishes are prepared with them. Many national cuisines are famous for their unique white bean dishes. White beans are also noted for their medicinal properties, which help treat many ailments.

Chemical composition of white beans

One of the main components of white beans is protein, which is easily digestible. The amount of protein in white beans is such that they can successfully replace meat and fish in the human diet.

At the same time, the skin of white grains contains many amino acids:

• lysine, necessary for growth and tissue repair;
• arginine as a nitrogen carrier;
• tryptophan, which helps you sleep soundly and be cheerful;
• tyrosine as a part of protein that helps in the functioning and regulation of enzymes;
• leucine, needed by the kidneys, spleen, and muscle tissue;
• asparagine, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the central nervous system;
• choline, which lowers blood cholesterol levels.

The fruits, which contain cobalt, copper, and nickel, are beneficial for health. Ripe seeds contain sufficient fiber, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, potassium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc.

Nutritional value and calorie content

Only boiled beans are used for food. When eaten raw, they are considered poisonous. Cooking white beans reduces their calorie content from 325 to 90 kcal. However, satiety comes from the easily digestible protein, which contains 22 grams per 100 grams, and carbohydrates, 47 grams per 100 grams, make up half of the total. The fruit is almost fat-free.

Product benefits

The beneficial properties of white beans allow them to be used for medicinal purposes by all segments of the population. This is because the human body completely absorbs the amino acids necessary for normal functioning, which are provided by the legume's seeds. The fiber in the beans stimulates the functioning of all digestive organs. Processing the product requires minimal effort and energy. They are valued for their low calorie content, which is important for overweight people.

For men

For men's health, white beans are needed to:

• improve heart function;
• build muscle mass;
• normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system;
• increase potency;
• strengthen bones.

For men engaged in physical labor and daily exercise, white beans are a beneficial addition to their diet. Their protein is easily digestible, allowing them to build and strengthen muscle.

For women

Antioxidants in protein products can help women avoid developing breast cancer..

Boiled beans will help:

• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis;
• restore iron levels in the blood;
• make bones and teeth strong;
• restore the structure of hair and skin;
• lose weight;
• normalize metabolic processes;
• stop the aging of the body.

Pregnant women are advised to include salads with white bean seeds in their diet. They are beneficial for the health of the unborn baby. However, it's important to avoid overindulging in legumes, as they can cause increased gas.

At what age can children eat white beans?

It's best to introduce legumes into a child's diet gradually. First, puree them with other pureed vegetables. Monitor for any allergic reactions. It's best to start introducing pureed boiled beans at age 2, once the child's intestines are strong and functioning normally.

You can cure diarrhea in infants with a bean seed decoction. Boil 1 tablespoon in clean water for half an hour, then strain and give the baby 2 tablespoons after meals.

This canned product can be given to children aged 3 years and older. It contains many amino acids, protein, and fiber that are beneficial for growing bodies.

Popular varieties

For those who garden, growing beans isn't a difficult process. The key is choosing the right variety for your garden. The best variety to cultivate is recommended:

1. Chali. This legume has large seeds with a dense, delicate texture. The beans have an interesting shape: they resemble a trapezoid, slightly flattened on the sides. Cooking time is short, about 30 minutes, if soaked first. They are best used with meat, vegetables, and in soups.
2. Moscow White Green-Pod 556. This bushy garden variety is prized for its compact, strong stems and uniform emergence. It is a high-yielding variety, yielding up to 1.5 kilograms per square meter.
3. Lotus. This large, fleshy bean is versatile. It's used for canning and cosmetic procedures.
4. Beloserka. This sugar-rich variety is renowned for its high yields of medium-sized fruits.
5. Navy. One of the oldest varieties, prized for its medicinal properties. This small-seeded bean boasts an excellent flavor.
6. White Mares. The plant owes its name to its large seeds. It is used for ornamental purposes, with its climbing vines used to enhance various structures.

You need to select varieties of white beans taking into account the growing region and the purposes for which the legume will be used.

Uses of white beans

By planting white varieties of this vegetable in your garden, you can provide yourself and your family with a low-calorie product. When used correctly, these legumes can help restore health, relieve symptoms of illness, and improve skin condition.

In cooking

There aren't many ways to cook white beans. Almost all dishes are based on boiled beans. Before cooking, they are soaked for 5-6 hours. Afterward, drain and add fresh water. The water should cover the beans by 3 centimeters. After boiling, simmer the beans for another hour.

You can grind the beans into a puree or serve them whole as a side dish with tomato sauce.

Making soup involves boiling beans with meat. In salads, beans go well with any greens, carrots, and tomatoes. A recipe for a cake made with white beans is also intriguing. Canned whole grains with bell peppers, tomatoes.

In cosmetology

Whites bean seeds provide the opportunity to:

• rejuvenate facial skin;
• nourish her;
• regenerate faded skin;
• eliminate flaking of the scalp.

Face masks are made from the puree with honey and olive oil. The vegetable broth is used to wash hair to get rid of hair problems and improve its health.

In folk medicine

Traditional healers recommend using both fresh, boiled white beans and powdered white beans to treat gastrointestinal ailments. The powdered form can be added to food to improve circulatory health. Decoctions made from the beans are beneficial for many ailments. However, consult a doctor before consuming the beans.

When losing weight

Nutritionists recommend including white bean-based dishes in the diet for those trying to lose weight. When cutting out animal fats, the body needs protein, which legumes provide. Salads are made with vegetables and boiled white beans. Drinking the decoction can speed up metabolism and eliminate excess fluid from the tissues.

Thanks to the bean diet, you can quickly lose extra pounds.

How to use white beans for medicinal purposes

White beans are preferred for the treatment of many ailments. They are hypoallergenic. The delicate fiber of ripe beans is easier for the intestines and stomach to digest.

For cardiovascular diseases

Cleansing blood vessels of cholesterol is done with a decoction of bean pods. Pour a liter of boiling water over 100 grams of washed beans. Let steep for 15 minutes. After straining and cooling, drink the decoction throughout the day, 30 minutes before meals. The treatment course lasts 20-25 days.

For gout and rheumatism

Pathological changes in joints require dietary management. Including white beans in your diet will strengthen muscles and nourish tissues with plant-based protein.

In the treatment of rheumatism, bean decoctions are included in the complex therapy, which are taken up to 3 times a day.

For gastritis and pancreatitis

Inflammatory processes in the pancreas and stomach are treated with a gentle diet. Avoid overloading the digestive organs during periods of exacerbation of pathological processes, so consuming dishes containing the plant's seeds will only increase pain. This legume is contraindicated for patients with pancreatitis and gastritis caused by high acidity.

For constipation

The fiber contained in white beans will help normalize intestinal peristalsis and cleanse the intestines of excess processed food. However, bean dishes should only be included in those whose constipation is caused by a digestive disorder, not by surgery.

For skin lesions

In the treatment of ulcers and eczema on the skin, an ointment is used, based on powder from white bean seeds.You can make your own medicine by mixing petroleum jelly with crushed legume seeds.

Bleeding wounds heal quickly with the help of compresses made from bean broth.

For diabetes

Bean-based dishes are beneficial for diabetics. They help lower blood sugar levels. Regularly including bean-based salads and soups in your diet will help you feel better and avoid heart and vascular problems.

To improve potency

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition are beneficial for men. Including white beans in your diet will improve genitourinary function and reproductive health.

Harmful effects of white beans and contraindications

Before switching your diet to plant-based protein from legumes, it's important to know that grains should not be consumed by people with certain medical conditions. White beans are contraindicated for patients with:

• diseases of the pancreas;
• gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• gastritis.

Even a small amount of cooked legumes can cause increased gas and intestinal pain. To avoid this, combine legume dishes with mustard and vinegar. Avoid eating them with apples and dairy products, as this will lead to severe bloating.

How to choose and store

High-quality white beans should be free of spots, damage, or mold. Choose seeds that are firm and smooth to the touch. Store them for a long time in a glass container or linen bag in a dry, dark place.