Green Beans (Sitaw) And Its Goodness To Our Health

Green beans are also called string beans or snap beans. They are a common staple in some households and are grown all over the world. These beans contain important nutrients that provide several health benefits. Some of its important components are antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Health Benefits of Green Beans

Fertility And Pregnancy

Green beans are loaded with iron. According to Harvard Medicinal School, consumption of more iron from plant sources such as spinach, beans, pumpkin, and green beans by women of child-bearing age can help promote fertility. Aside from providing 6 percent iron, one cup of green beans can also provide approximately 10 percent of daily folic acid need. Folic acid is needed during pregnancy to protect the fetus against neural tube defects (1).

Helps Repair Cell Damage

Being a good source of vitamin C (one cup contains 12.2 mg) which is an antioxidant, green beans can help protect our cells from free radical damage which has been linked to many chronic diseases (2).

Aside from this, vitamin C is also known as an immunity booster, can help lower our risk of heart diseases, may help reduce uric acid levels, and many more (3).

Promotes Bone Health

With adequate amounts of vitamin K, we’ll be able to improve our bone health since this vitamin modifies bone matrix proteins, improves calcium absorption, and reduces urinary excretion of calcium. Its high vitamin K and decent amounts of calcium are both important for maintaining healthy bones and reducing our risk of fractures (4).

Heart Healthy

Green beans contain no cholesterol. Though our body needs some cholesterol, high levels of it may lead to a build-up of fat deposits in our arteries thus decreasing the flow of blood to our brain and heart. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, a cup of raw green beans contains 2.7 g of fiber which may help lower down LDL, total cholesterol levels, and blood pressure levels and reduce inflammation (5).

Helps Support Brain Function

Green beans contain B vitamins. According to a study, this vitamin can help lower levels of a compound called homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine can impair cognitive function. It can interfere with the production of the feel-good hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate mood, sleep, and appetite (6).

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