Kidney beans, its nutritional composition, important biological components of kidney bean, biological activity, health benefits, therapeutic uses and risk factors
Description : Kidney beans is one of the most important legumes loaded with numerous essential nutrients. It has
Article Details :
Kidney beans is one of the most important legumes loaded with numerous essential nutrients. It has been used for centuries for various therapeutic purposes.
Nutritional profile
- It contains desirable amount of carbohydrates, mainly composed of starch
- It contains fibre as well. It is made up of both soluble and insoluble fibre
- It is a good source of protein. It is composed of various important amino acids
- It contains too some extent of fat as well but totally free from cholesterol
- It is packed with various important micronutrients, which include Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, Vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese and magnesium
Important biological components of kidney bean
- Anthocyanins: it is responsible for imparting the red colour to the bean and it also acts as potent antioxidant
- Phytic acid: it is a component, which is commonly found in many kinds of beans but it may interfere with the absorption of some minerals
- Isoflavones: these components also act as antioxidant and help to protect the body from oxidative damages
Biological activity
Antioxidant activity
It is loaded with antioxidants that help to protect the body from free radical induced oxidative damages as a result lowers the susceptibility of developing chronic diseases
Anti-carcinogenic activity
- Its antioxidant, micronutrient and flavonols components are responsible for exerting anti-carcinogenic activity
- It has the ability to fight against cancer cell and also helps in hindering the growth of cancerous cells in body
Hypolipidemic activity
- It is closely related with reducing the concentration of LDL, VLDL and triglyceride in body whereas helps in increasing the level of HDL
- Its consumption is thus thought to be very effective for improving lipid profile
Health benefits
Role on digestive health
- Consumption of kidney bean is very effective for promoting the health and activity of digestive system
- It contains adequate amount of soluble and insoluble fibre that play imperative role in promoting regularity. Basically it helps in increasing stool bulkiness and softness, which ultimately makes the defecation process easier as a result helps in reduces the prevalence of constipation
- It is also associated with improving gut health as it helps in promoting the growth of intestinal beneficial microbes
- It helps to prevent flatulence as well
- Its consumption is also related with proving a positive impact on colonic health and plays vital role in reducing the risk of developing diverticular diseases
Role on hepatic health
- Kidney bean is considered as one of the most important therapeutic substance that helps to boost the hepatic health
- Its cholesterol lowering activity is responsible for reducing the susceptibility of hepatic cell necrosis by preventing fatty infiltration, which ultimately lowers the risk of developing fatty liver disease
- It helps to decrease the prevalence of gall stones as well
Role on skeletal health
- Consumption of kidney bean is extremely useful for strengthening the skeletal system as it contains adequate amount of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, which all play vital role in healthy bone formation
- Calcium and phosphorus present in kidney bean help in bone mineralization that subsequently increases bone mass and bone mineral density. It is also associated with preventing the prevalence of bone thinning as a result reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis as well as fractures
- Its magnesium component is also accountable for maintaining skeletal system. It helps in improving bone density too and plays vital role in delaying the onset of osteoporosis
- Consumption of kidney bean is also very effective for improving the symptoms of osteomalacia
Role on gestational health
- Consumption of kidney bean during gestational period is considered as a healthy choice as it helps in promoting overall maternal health
- It contains significant amount of proteins, iron, folic acid, fibre and antioxidants, all of which are essentially required by the body during pregnancy as they all play crucial role in improving the health of both mother as well as fetus
- Protein helps in supporting the growth and development of fetus whereas it is also associated with promoting the synthesis of placenta, amniotic fluid, on the other hand it helps in the growth and development of mammary gland too, which help to approach Read more
