Bella Adams
Everyone knows that ordinary beans should not be eaten frequently, because in large quantities they are harmful to the kidneys. In addition, they are quite high in calories. But green beans are different in many ways. The body digests them easily, and almost any diet can include them.
After all, green beans are low in calories, and they contain the right carbohydrates and a lot of fiber. In addition, green beans are very easy to prepare. Let’s talk about green beans and their harms and benefits
Green beans – tender, crispy pods that are no more than a week old – are eaten whole, without removing the young grains.
Green beans, like all legumes, are native to South America. At first, they were not recognized and were grown as ornamental plants, but then they were recognized and began to develop new varieties. The Italians were the first nation to cultivate green beans for their pods, picking them unripe.
The first green beans were developed in 1894 in the town of Leroy, New York, by Dr. Calvin Keaney, who was proudly nicknamed the “father of the fiberless bean.”
Green beans are valuable because it is not the beans themselves that are used for food, but rather the young green pod that has not reached maturity. These pods are very juicy, crispy, slightly sweet in taste, and healthy due to their unique composition.
A list of green beans’ beneficial properties
Green beans contain folic acid, which helps to restore natural hormonal levels; soluble fiber, which prevents the development of obesity and helps to lose weight; potassium, which helps to maintain healthy blood vessels and the heart.
Beans also contain iron, which helps to normalize red blood cells and prevents anemia; magnesium, which restores the strength and resources of the nervous system and prevents chronic fatigue; zinc, which stimulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body; and copper, which promotes joint health and prevents arthritic changes in them.
Green beans also contain a high content of B vitamins, as well as A, vitamin C and E.
Let’s talk about the dangers and contraindications of green beans right away
With all their many beneficial properties, green beans do cause some harm, albeit minor. This product can cause excessive gas formation in the intestines, which for healthy people will only bring discomfort. In the case of gout and nephritis, you should limit the consumption of beans, but diseases such as ulcers, gastritis, and cholecystitis are serious reasons to give up this product altogether. To reduce its negative impact on digestion, beans should be boiled or stewed for a sufficiently long time.
Types and varieties of green beans
Green beans are representative of a large and diverse family of legumes. Its pods can be of various shapes – round (Kenyan, asparagus, French beans), flat, short – from 7 to 13 cm, and long – up to 15 cm.
French beans have smaller and thinner pods than regular beans (7-10 cm), and they taste sweeter and more delicate, although they still remain crunchy.
They can be not only green but also purple or even black. Long Chinese beans (also known as snake beans) differ from ordinary beans only in length – the pods can be 50 cm long.
A rather popular and expensive variety is grown in Africa – Kenyan beans. These are very thin (5 mm in diameter) small dark green pods with a sweetish-nutty flavor.
Dragon’s tongues – these beans are often called Georgian or purple beans in Ukraine. These are colorful pods with purple stripes, 12-15 cm long. When heat-treated, even for a minute, the purple color disappears.
Still, the most common color of green beans is green, but of various shades, so this bean is often called simply “green beans” and its culinary essence does not change.
Green beans in nutrition
Nutritionists recommend eating green beans for those who want to lose weight. The calorie content of green beans is only 23 kilocalories per 100 grams, so they are not only healthy but also a dietary product that helps restore normal weight. If your weight is normal, green beans will help you keep it within the normal range and maintain a great figure. But for this, this product should be included in the diet at least several times a week.
The secrets of cooking green beans
The younger the green beans, the more delicate their flavor. If you can see the beans through the pod, the beans are overripe and will be hard.
Frozen green beans are not only as good as fresh ones, but sometimes even better.
Before cooking, rinse the green beans with running water and cut off the ends. If the pod has a “vein”, remove it, although modern varieties usually do not. Long pods can be cut across or diagonally. Sometimes the beans are cut in half in length, this cut is called “French”.
Green beans are best boiled, not necessarily in water, but in broth or, for example, in tomato sauce.
Green beans go well with any kind of butter, both butter and vegetable, with garlic, parsley, cilantro, and basil. Like all legumes, the taste of green beans becomes brighter with the addition of acid: vinegar, lemon juice, wine, and tomatoes. Nuts are often added to green bean dishes, not only walnuts but also almonds and hazelnuts.
Green beans are cooked quite quickly: in boiling water, they should be boiled (or better, blanched) for no more than 5-6 minutes, and steamed for about 8-10 minutes.
After the specified time, the beans should be thrown into a colander and poured with cold water – then they will definitely not fall apart and will be a bright green color. The main thing is not to overcook them.
Green beans for beauty
Boiled and mashed beans are an excellent base for an anti-wrinkle and whitening mask. You can also add the juice of half a lemon and a little olive oil to the bean gruel. Mix the mass well and apply a thick layer on the face for about 30 minutes, then wash with cool water and pat your face with a paper towel. This product perfectly whitens the skin, increases its elasticity, and reduces the number of fine wrinkles. In addition, the bean mask has moisturizing and nourishing properties.
So, green beans are a very useful legume, which is low in calories. The beneficial properties of the plant should be appreciated by those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. The product should be included in the menu if it is not contraindicated by the human body. As you have already understood, this product is easily digestible and can be consumed by both children and adults.
Take care of yourself and your health!
