Green beans, despite the name, are actually not beans at all. They are more similar to pod veggies that include okra and snap peas, particularly when it comes to nutrition. This is why in other places green beans are called string beans, French beans, and snap beans. Regardless of what you decide to call them, green beans are healthy. The rich green colorof this vegetable already provides important colorful pigments that include carotenoid. But that's not all! There are also many antioxidants in this small veggie, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and neoxanthin. There are also vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, and C, along with thiamin, iron, folate, riboflavin, potassium, and magnesium.
The Health Benefits: Consuming green beans, especially if done regularly, is said to reduce the risk of some serious diseases and even reverse a few health conditions.
There are studies that show how beneficial green beans are to our health because of they can prevent the following:
Cancer: These green beans have high amounts of chlorophyll, which have the ability to block heterocyclic amines that bring carcinogenic effects. This is particularly useful if you have grilled meats or anything that is cooked at high temperature for your meals. So pair green beans with your charred foods to decrease the risk of cancer.
Infertility: Green beans are rich in iron, which actually promote fertility, based on the findings of a study publishedat Harvard Health Publications. The vegetable also contains folate, which is also crucial for pregnant women so that neural tube defects can be avoided.
Depression: Folate is not only for pregnant women or those who want to get pregnant; it is also useful in treating and preventing depression. You need enough folate to stop homocysteine from overwhelming the body; otherwise, when this happens, the blood and other nutrients will not be able to reach the brain. Too much homocysteine can also interfere with serotonin production, which is the hormone that makes us feel good and happy.
Bone Fracture: One cup of green beans can give you almost 15 micrograms of vitamin K, which meets 20% of the daily recommended allowance. The vegetable also offers calcium. Both vitamin K and calcium are essential in helping you improve your bone health. Vitamin K, in particular, aids in proper absorption of calcium and also prevents you from excreting the mineral through your urine.