31 Must-Know Black Bean Facts About Their Health Benefits0

Nidhi Sahai
Nov 04, 2022 By Nidhi Sahai
Originally Published on Feb 04, 2022
Edited by Lara Simpson
Fact-checked by Vikhaash Sundararaj
Read black bean facts to Improve heart health!

Black beans, often known as black turtle beans or frijoles negros (Spanish for 'black beans'), are staple sustenance for people from all walks of life.

The oval-shaped beans are gluten-free naturally. They are commonly used as a plant-based protein source in vegan and vegetarian diets.

Black beans are a universal and healthy food that people of all age groups enjoy. Black beans are available in dried, tinned, and pureed versions on supermarket shelves.

In recent decades, there has been an upsurge in the number of goods manufactured from black beans. Compared to other goods without beans, black bean chips, black bean pasta, and black bean flour are probably higher in protein, fiber, iron, and reduced cholesterol levels. They are related to the species of pinto beans.

Black beans are accessible all year and can be obtained, dried, packed, or canned at most grocery stores. They have a rich, almost meaty texture, making them a popular vegetarian protein source. Adding beans to your food is a good protein and fiber intake option.

When using canned black beans, make sure they're sodium-free and that you drain and rinse them beforehand (you need to be more careful with canned beans). It's crucial to sort dried black beans before cooking them, plucking out the small rocks, or even other debris which may have gotten into the bag.

To have the best texture and flavor, soak them in the water for 8 to 10 hours before cooking. When you can easily separate them between your fingers, they've done soaking.

Soaking dry beans reduces the time it takes to cook them while also removing many of the oligosaccharides which cause stomach upset. Soaking beans for prolonged periods of time can aid in the reduction of phytates, which can inhibit mineral absorption.

Indeed there are any adverse effects of the black bean. Black beans can have a high salt content.

Draining beans can save sodium by up to 36%, while rinsing and draining beans can cut sodium by 41%. For example, if half a cup of canned beans has 0.016 oz (460 mg) of sodium, washing and drying the beans reduces the sodium content to 0.0095 oz (271 mg).

Black Bean Classification As A Plant

The scientific name of Black Beans is Castanospermum australe. It belongs to kingdom Plantae, Clade: Tracheophytes, Clade: Angiosperms, Clade: Eudicots, Clade: Rosids, Order: Fabales, Family: Fabaceae, Subfamily: Faboideae, Tribe: Angylocalyceae, and Genus: Castanospermum.

  • Beans are members of the Fabaceae family of plants.
  • The Fabaceae is the world's third-largest plant family.
  • There are 670 genera in the Fabaceaceae family, with almost 20,000 species of shrubs, trees, vines, and herbs.
  • Redbud, smoke tree, and locust are examples of Fabaceae trees found in Michigan.
  • Legumes are the fruits of the Fabaceae family (peas and beans).
  • They are the staple food of people of central and south America.
  • Peas and beans and clover, alfalfa, mesquite, indigo, mimosa, and peanuts produce fruit in a shell that splits into both sides.
  • Turtle beans, criolla caviar, and frijoles negros are all names for black beans.
  • Protein is abundant in black beans.
  • The Americas are home to black beans.
  • Black beans have been a staple in Central and South American diets for over 7,000 years.
  • The black bean varieties' Zenith' and 'Zorro' were developed at Michigan State University. These two types of black beans account for most black beans cultivated in Michigan.
  • 'Black beans have progressively gained appeal among US consumers since the 1980s when they were essentially unknown,' said Karen Cichy, a USDA ARS research plant geneticist and adjunct associate professor in MSU's department of plant, soil, and microbial sciences. 'Not only are Americans consuming more black beans in their conventional boiled or canned version, but they're also showing up in innovative items like hummus, crackers, and pasta.' In 2016, 164 new meals utilizing black beans were introduced in the United States, and the trend is expected to continue in 2017.'
  • Variety: Black beans are a kind of kidney beans that come in various colors and shapes. Black turtle beans are the most popular. Compared to canned beans, dried beans are less expensive and easier to preserve in bulk. A half-cup portion of dried beans contains significantly less sodium, whereas canned beans can contain up to 0.017 oz (490 mg). The quantity of resistant starch present in black beans is similarly reduced when they are canned. The disadvantage is that dried beans require more time to prepare.
  • Storage and Food Safety: Look for entire (not broken or cracked) dried beans that are smooth and lustrous. The presence of tiny holes in dried beans could indicate that they are infected with insects. Keep in a closed container for up to a year in a cold, dry area. Black beans can be stored in the refrigerator for four to five days and in the freezer for up to six months once cooked.

The Physical Characteristic Structure Of Black Beans

Black beans come under the category of legumes that is small and black in color. They have tough skin and cream-colored flesh. Black beans have a rich, earthy flavor and a slightly sweet aftertaste. They are often used in Latin American cuisine.

Some essential nutrients found in black beans include fiber, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, and vitamin K. Black beans also contain antioxidants that can help protect the body against disease. They are low in fat and calories, making them a healthy choice for losing weight or maintaining their current weight.

Black beans can be cooked by boiling, roasting, steaming, or frying. They can be eaten alone as a snack or added to dishes like salads, soups, and stews. Black beans are a healthy food that people of all ages can enjoy. Try adding black beans to your next meal and see how you like them!

Health Benefits Of Eating Black Beans

  • Black beans are a powerhouse of nutrition, boasting an impressive array of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, black beans can help protect against disease and improve overall health. They are also high in fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals, making them an excellent choice for healthy eating. Here we have listed are some health benefits of black beans:
  • Black beans are high in antioxidants, which can help protect against disease.
  • They are a vital source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • They may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke: The dietary fiber present in the black beans impacts the heart's health positively as it lowers cholesterol levels and low sodium levels. These beans are a perfect source of plant-based proteins. You might be thinking about the necessity of adding plant-based proteins to the diet. Plant-based protein sources like black beans are free of cholesterol and saturated fats.
  • Black beans may also have anti-cancer properties: Although there are no miraculous anti-cancer foods, black beans can help lower your risk of certain cancers. According to one study, an increase of 0.35 oz (10 g) of dietary fiber eaten daily lowered the incidence of colon cancer by 26% in men. It only takes one cup of black beans to add an extra 0.42 oz (12 g) of fiber to your day. Legume intake has also been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer.
  • Helping to regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure: It is a relief that even though these beans have carbohydrates, they can still be added to the diet of a diabetic person, just like other protein food, chicken, and fish. They are highly beneficial. Moreover, these black beans are very good for a diabetic person, as it helps in maintaining low sodium levels and blood pressure. Beans have a low glycemic index, which might help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. According to studies, black beans can considerably lower post-meal insulin levels, which is beneficial for maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels.
  • Polyphenols, which are antioxidants, are found in black beans. Black beans include flavonoids, which are a form of polyphenol. Anthocyanins, in particular, are a type of flavonoid that gives black beans their color. It's one of the reasons why black beans may help with heart health and cancer prevention. Anthocyanins may also aid people with diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels after they eat.
  • Regulating the digestive system by balancing the gut bacteria and helping the healthy bacteria in the colon be efficient.
  • Boosting energy levels
  • Supporting weight loss goals: High-fiber foods like black beans can help you feel satisfied for longer in terms of weight management and regulate the digestive system. Black beans and other high-fiber foods can make you healthier or maintain weight by reducing the intake of calories.
  • So if you're looking for a portion of healthy, nutrient-rich food to add to your diet, black beans are a great choice! Try incorporating black beans into your next meal and enjoy all of the health benefits they have to offer.

The Protein Content And Nutritional Value Of Black Beans

The nutritional value content of Black Beans are Energy: 114 kilocalories, Protein: 0.268 oz (7.62 g), Fat: 0.016 oz (0.46 g), Carbohydrate: 0.719 oz (20.39 g), Fiber: 0.266 oz (7.5 g), Sugars: 0.009 oz (0.28 g), significantly less to no amount of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Thiamin, Niacin, Folate, and Vitamin K.

  • Carbs: Black beans have a high carbohydrate content and are a good source of fiber (both insoluble and soluble). Black beans are similarly devoid of sugar. Instead, they eat carbs that are slowly digested and resistant to starch. This implies that the carbohydrates present in black beans are converted gradually to glucose, with some of them not being digested at all.
  • The glycemic index of a food is a measure of how it can influence your blood glucose level. Black beans have a varying glycemic control index depending on how they are cooked. The average glycemic index of soaked and cooked black beans is 20, which is moderately low. If you use a pressure cooker or canned beans, the glycemic index will be about 30, which is a moderately low number. The glycemic load considers the glycemic index as well as the serving size. The glycemic load of half a cup of cooked black beans is seven, which is considered modest.
  • Fats: Black beans have a low-fat content, with the majority of the fat being polyunsaturated. Black beans have 0.0031 oz (90 mg) of omega-3 fatty acids and 0.0038 oz (108 mg) of omega-6 fatty acids in half a cup serving. Heart Health studies have proved that consuming them lowers the body's bad cholesterol.
  • Protein and fiber: Black beans are plant-based protein with a good amount of fiber, with half a cup portion containing 0.268 oz (7.62 g) and 0.266 oz (7.5 g), respectively. Black beans can be used in various meals to help you meet your daily protein and fiber requirements.
  • Vitamins and Minerals: Black beans have a lot of folate in them. This vitamin is necessary for red blood cell production and helps to avoid neural tube abnormalities during pregnancy.
  • Black beans also include high levels of magnesium, manganese, and thiamin. If you're a vegetarian who relies on beans for iron, you should know that meals high in vitamin C, like tomatoes and citrus fruits, can help you absorb more iron. Fiber foods like beans and legumes decrease the overall calorie intake.

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Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289934

https://www.verywellfit.com/black-beans-nutrition-facts-calories-and-their-health-benefits-4118125

https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/clean-diet/general-health/4-surprising-health-benefits-of-black-beans/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/canned-black-beans

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7899240/are-black-beans-healthy-heres-what-a-dietitian-says/

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Written by Nidhi Sahai

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication

Nidhi Sahai picture

Nidhi SahaiBachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication

Dedicated and experienced, Nidhi is a professional content writer with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality work. She has contributed her expertise to esteemed organizations, including Network 18 Media and Investment Ltd. Driven by her insatiable curiosity and love for journalism and mass communication, Nidhi pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, graduating with distinction in 2021. During her college years, she discovered her passion for Video Journalism, showcasing her skills as a videographer for her institution. Nidhi's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her professional pursuits. Actively engaging in volunteer work, she has contributed to various events and initiatives throughout her academic career.

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Fact-checked by Vikhaash Sundararaj

Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in International Business

Vikhaash Sundararaj picture

Vikhaash SundararajBachelor of Fine Arts specializing in International Business

With a background in International Business Management, having completed his degree at the University of Hull. Vikhaash has volunteered with 'Teach For India' to help students create a monthly newsletter. In his free time, he enjoys sports and was the assistant captain of his school's hockey team. He has also gained marketing experience through an internship at Decathlon Sports India.

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