Benefits of Beans

Beans are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, folate, iron, fiber and soluble fiber. It is important to research how to safely prepare beans for consumption because some raw beans contain an outer layer that must be removed by cooking before eating. For example, the US Food & Drug Administration recommends boiling red kidney beans for 30 minutes to completely destroy the toxin. The canned variety are safe to eat straight from the can, but even if you're using a slow cooker, they must be boiled first. Also, some beans, nuts, and seeds have antrinutrients, which can interrupt Vitamin D metabolism.

Some bean varieties:

Pinto beans, Small White beans, Small Red beans, Pink beans, Red Kidney beans, White Kidney beans, Great Northern beans, Baby Lima beans, Large Lima beans, Black beans, Roman beans, Cannellini beans, Navy beans, Fava beans, Garbanzo beans

Benefits & Effects of Beans

Vitamins & Nutrients found in Beans (Click for details)

Fiber

Fiber goes through your system like an internal car wash, scrubbing out the walls of your intestines and colon and removing bacteria and buildup, reducing your risk of constipation, diabetes, and even cancer. Whole grain breads, cereals, brown rice, beans, legumes, and most fresh fruits and vegetables contain fiber.

Iron

Iron helps regulate the body's temperature and is good for improving energy levels and the ability to focus. It is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Protein

Protein is a building block of the body's tissues and organs. It is good for repairing the body after an injury, regulating blood pressure, increasing strength and muscle mass, increasing fat burning, and boosting the metabolism. Additionally, it can reduce hunger levels and cravings.

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Folate has many functions. Like Vitamin B7, it helps prevent birth defects in babies if consumed during pregnancy. It may also slow the effects of age on the brain. Folic acid helps create red blood cells and repair DNA. It can help prevent Alzheimer's and some forms of cancer.

You can get plenty of folic acid in your diet by eating greens like broccoli and green beans, leafy greens like spinach, papaya, lima beans, asparagus, avocado, and squash. Citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, seeds, beef liver, eggs and legume also provide folic acid, as does brown rice, wheat germ and fortified grains. Fortified foods contain Folic Acid, the synthesized version of Folate.

Vitamin BP (Choline)

Vitamin Bp (choline) is an essential nutrient that can be found in beef liver, eggs, cod fish, chicken, milk, soy lecithin, cauliflower, spinach, wheat germ, kidney beans, grapefruit, brown rice, peanuts, and almonds.

Not getting enough Vitamin Bp in your diet can cause neurological disorders, liver disease, and clogging of the arteries.

Disclaimer:

For best results, fresh, organic foods are recommended.
Foods are most nutritious in their raw form, unless heating is required.
Food sources are recommended over supplements, but in the event you must use supplements, be sure to purchase them from a reputable source. In the U.S., supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
"Everything in moderation" is a good rule of thumb. Don't shock your system by eating dozens of apples (or anything) in one day. A balanced, yet varied diet is the goal.

As with medicine, there are no guarantees. Preventative steps can help prevent illness and possibly prolong lives, but there are many contributing factors and variables which can sometimes produce unexpected results.
Do research and consult your physician before making any serious changes to your diet or taking supplements. Discuss any allergies or concerns you may have. If you are taking any prescriptions or medications, this is especially important.
The information presented here is based on my research and years of note-taking. What started as a short list of cures for friends and family has grown into a full and very complex database, yet is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of eating healthy foods. This list is a work in progress and by no means complete. My goal is to help people suffering from various ailments, with a secondary goal of spreading the news about the miraculous healing power of foods. Use this information as a launchpad into your new healthy life.