Beans: the food of the future
Legumes — beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils — are the cornerstone of any healthy diet. They have unique properties, such as anti-cancer.
In this article I want to share some interesting facts, which were told by McGreevy, the head of the American Bean Association (the American Pulse Association).
They are cheap
Beans, peas and lentils are one of the most affordable sources of protein: more than 20 grams per 100 grams of product. The same amount is in chicken, a little more in beef. And now look at how much these products cost in the nearest supermarket or market, and compare the price of one gram of protein from legumes and meat.
Centenarians eat beans every day
Legumes predominate in the diets of residents of the "blue zones" — territories around the globe with a high concentration of centenarians.
Digestive problems can be avoided
Beans contain complex carbohydrates, and by fermenting them, our stomach bacteria can produce gas. It is easy to avoid gas formation:
— introduce legumes into your diet gradually (the problem with gas formation usually disappears after about a week);
— soak the beans for a few hours or overnight and drain the water before cooking;
— combine legumes with spices such as turmeric, ginger or fennel.
The darker, the better
As with vegetables, the richer the color of legumes, the higher their concentration of antioxidants that protect cells from oxidation. One study found that black bean pods contain 40 times more antioxidants than white bean pods.
Double load
Legumes are the only product that can be classified as both vegetables and proteins (in accordance with the position of the USDA Department of Agriculture).
Famous status
Even the ancient Romans came up with names based on the names of legumes: Lentulus (lentils — lentils), Fabius (fava — string beans), Piso (peas — peas), Cicero (chickpeas - chickpeas). According to the Roman leaders, these products embody the characteristic features of the entire population and, by taking these names, they will prove that they are of public interest.
How old are they?
Researchers from Israel have discovered bean seeds at an archaeological site 10 thousand years old. Neolithic people were among the first farmers in the world. Their diet contained important cereals, but they received protein and fiber almost exclusively from string beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas.
Legumes may have been the basis of food in the past, and they are returning to become the food of the future. After all, they are not only nutritious and useful, but also contribute to sustainable agriculture by saturating the soil with nitrogen. Add to this that legumes are a sustainable crop, and we have reason to assume that they will become an extremely important product for ensuring food security in our growing world.
