Health Benefits of Incorporating Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes are plant-based sources of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. They are recognized for their numerous health benefits, including aiding in digestion, weight management, and heart health.
Category
Food
Where to get
Available in grocery stores, markets, and health food stores.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Beans And Legumes FAQ


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What are beans & legumes?

Beans and legumes are the fruits or seeds of a family of plants called Fabaceae. They’re great sources of fiber and vegetarian protein. You can incorporate beans into soups, tacos, salads, and other recipes. Beans and legumes have several health benefits.

What is the difference between a legume and a bean?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but “legumes” technically refers to the whole plant package (leaves, stems, and pods), whereas “beans” refers to the seed found within the pods of a legume plant. Are legumes good or bad for you?

Are green beans a legume?

Other legumes include peanuts and soybeans ( edamame, which are immature green soybeans). Categorizing green (string) beans and green peas is a bit trickier. They aren't always counted in the legume group because, nutritionally, they're more like other types of vegetables.

Are beans legumes?

In the broadest sense, beans are the pod-borne seeds of leguminous plants — excluding lentils, lupins, peanuts, and certain other types of legumes. Beans have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, they’re an important food source worldwide. Black, kidney, navy, fava, and pinto beans are common in the United States ( 1 ).

Are beans and legumes good for You?

Beans and legumes have several health benefits. Eating more of them may help reduce cholesterol, decrease blood sugar levels, and increase healthy gut bacteria ( 1, 2, 3 ). Here are nine of the healthiest beans and legumes you can eat — and why they’re good for you. 1. Chickpeas

Beans And Legumes References

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