By MACROS | Published on February 18, 2017
Boost your well-being with these cancer-fighting, heart-healthy, cardio-enhancing and fat-burning little orbs of goodness.
Black bean
Best for antioxidants
The Batman of the bean world: clever, dark and powerful. A study by the American Chemical Society found 100g of black beans had 10 times the amount of overall antioxidants as an equivalent serving of oranges, grapes, apples or cranberries. The perfect refuelling agent after a villainous training session.
Kidney beans
Best for fighting obesity
Just 100g of kidney beans contain 24.9g of fibre, according to the USDA. And French scientists, from the CNRS, found a fibre-rich diet protects you against obesity and diabetes by regulating your glucose levels, which triggers a range of protective mechanisms against hunger pangs.
Lentils
Best for reducing bad cholesterol
On average we eat less than half a serving a day of lentils, which just isn’t enough. Scientists at St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada, found they can slash your risk of cardiovascular disease. By eating one serving (130g) daily you can reduce cholesterol levels by 5% and live longer.
– RELATED: Black Bean And Vegetable Curry With Almonds Recipe –
Soybean
Best for fighting cancerÂ
A diet staple of the long-living Japanese, eating these beans could see you celebrating more birthdays. Research by Elsevier found peptides found in soybeans significantly inhibited cancer cell growth – 73% colon,70% liver and 68% lung. Not a bad effort from such a small bean.
Chickpeas
Best for blood pressure
Pulses like chickpeas will keep your heart in rude health by lowering your blood pressure, found research in the British Journal of Nutrition. They’re loaded with minerals like zinc, iron and calcium, which are well-known for their health benefits. Just 100g per day would give you all you need for a healthy ticker.
