Suitable to be Eaten in Any Condition, Green Beans are Useful for Repairing Muscles

Illustration of the benefits of green beans for health (Freepik/jcomp)

YOGYAKARTA – Green beans are a type of legume in the same family as lentils. Usually it is processed into various dishes, such as porridge, tea, to traditional snack fillings or known as kumbu. Maybe you often eat green beans when your body is weak so you get more energy to move. However, according to nutritionists, holistic health coaches, and Ayurveda experts, here are some of the benefits of mung beans that could be reasons to include them in your diet.

1. Rich in folate, fiber and vitamin B6

These small nuts and green skin have many benefits. According to Lauren Slayton, MS, RD, and founder of Foodtrainers, green beans are rich in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber and vitamin B6. According to him, most women lack magnesium and need it to control stress and repair muscles, especially if they are exercising. When it comes to women's health, folate and vitamin B6 are great for managing PMS symptoms and during pregnancy.

2. Suitable for all body conditions

Not only nutritionist, Ayurveda expert Nadya Andreeva also agrees that mung beans are a beneficial food in ancient holistic medicine practices. Green beans are considered tri-doshic, meaning they are suitable for all body types when cooked with the right spices.

Illustration of the rich content in green beans is beneficial for health (Freepik/ksupida)

Like other legumes, launching Weel+Good, Sunday, August 20, Ayurveda recommends soaking green beans overnight and cooking them with spices such as ginger, cumin, coriander and turmeric. This spice makes green beans easier to digest.

3. Reducing the risk of chronic disease

Green beans contain many healthy antioxidants, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, and others. Reported by Healthline, antioxidants help neutralize harmful molecules known as free radicals. If there are free radicals in high numbers, it can interfere with health. This disorder is linked to chronic inflammation, heart disease, and cancer. According to research, antioxidants from green beans can neutralize damage caused by free radicals. A study found that sprouting green beans or sprouts, it turns out to contain six times more antioxidants than ordinary green beans.

4. Lower bad cholesterol

Bad cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. Interestingly, studies show that mung beans may be efficacious in lowering LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. Additionally, a review of 26 studies found that eating one daily serving (about 130 grams) of legumes, such as green beans, significantly lowered blood LDL cholesterol levels.

Illustration of the benefits of green beans to reduce bad cholesterol (Freepik/wirestock)

5. Lower blood pressure

The content of magnesium and fiber in green beans, helps lower blood pressure. These two nutrients are associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure. In addition, an analysis of 8 studies showed that intake of legumes such as mung beans can lower blood pressure in adults.

Besides the five health benefits of green beans above, this legume family also helps digestive health. Apart from being high in fiber, green beans also contain resistant starch which works similarly to soluble fiber and helps nourish healthy gut bacteria.