Today I am going to talk about a food that most of you probably eat already, Beans! Beans are cheap and filling and you can also use them in many different recipes. Two of my favourite are Mexican chilli (this is great in the winter) and bean spread (blending beans, onion, quark, spinach and seasoning) that you can use as a dip or in sandwiches! But did you know they are extremely good for you as well? So here are 5 reasons why beans are good for you:

High in iron 

Iron is an essential nutrient that some people (particularly women) lack in their diet. This can cause anaemia (a lack of red blood cells), hair loss and constant tiredness. However 1 cup of beans has nearly 4mg (25% of your daily recommended allowance) of iron.

Rich in Protein 

Beans are high in protein with one cup containing 15g of protein. This makes beans a great food for vegetarians or people who do not eat much meat! 

High in Fibre

Beans are high in both soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre is shown to lower your cholesterol levels by binding to it and removing it from your body. Insoluble fibre helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders

Low GI and link to weight loss

Beans have a GI of only 29. This means they release energy slowly, keeping you fuller for longer. Studies show that beans are also good for people losing weight. As they are in high in fibre and have a low GI people are less likely to want to overeat beans or want to snack in between meals. They also help stabilise your blood sugar (making them good for diabetics).

Lower the risk of hear disease

The fibre in beans has also been shown to reduce the chance of heart disease. Studies show that diets high in fibre could reduce the risk of hear attacks by over 80% ! Magnesium and folate are two other nutrients in beans that have been shown to be good for your heart.

If you know of any other great benefits of beans or have any recipe ideas why not share them below?