Beans control cholesterol

LONDON: Researchers found that red beans contain more disease--fighting, skin--protecting antioxidants than blueberries, known for their high antioxidant content. One third cup of cooked beans has 80 calories, no cholesterol, lots of complex carbohydrates, and little fat. In addition, beans are full of B vitamins, potassium, and fiber, which promote-digestive health and relieve constipation. Eating beans may help prevent colon cancer and reduce blood cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease, researchers say. Beans are also a great protein source. Add beans in your diet as many times as you can. Kidney beans, navy beans, soybeans and lima-beans will help you a lot in controlling the cholesterol level. Even if you eat just one and a half cup of beans everyday, then it will help in controlling the bad cholesterol up to 22 percent. You do not have to eat that much at once, but if you include beans in yourdiet it will help you keep the cholesterol in control. Even beans have pectin lowering-qualities. Beans are bursting with protein, fibre, iron and calcium. The fibre in baked-beans goes on to produce a type of fatty acids that can help protect the colon from cancer. Beans also lower cholesterol. However, tinned baked beans contain a lot of salt which can lead to high blood pressure. Try the reduced salt, reduced sugar variety take them on toast or add to a casserole. The tomato sauce on them is also a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant which helps to prevent heart disease and prostate cancer.