These Little Beans Pack a Big Health Punch

Dr. Victor Marchione

Beans have long been a staple of diets in Mexico. Mexico is one of the largest exporters of the legume, and it turns out that Mexicans enjoy some of the lowest rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases in the world.

The National School of Biological Science of the National Polytechnic Institute launched a study into the health benefits of beans, specifically the Jamapa variety of black beans, to evaluate the legume’s antioxidant and antihypertensive qualities. The proteins found in beans also remove heavy metals from the body.

The study found bioactive peptides in black beans that have benefits in lowering blood pressure and oxidative stress. The testing revealed that the nutritional components of the beans, such as carbohydrates, proteins, starch, fats, and phenolic compounds, have health benefits that prevent health issues with the heart as well as obesity.

The researchers isolated proteins from the seeds, as well as using computer simulations to determine how the proteins would behave in certain biological processes. It was determined that the beans released peptides with antioxidant and antihypertensive properties when consumed.

The work won the researchers the National Prize in Science and Technology of Food in the Business category for Food Science by the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT). The award aims to promote research in the food and beverage industry to find health benefits of food and drink.

The researchers hope to determine all the health benefits of beans and remove all the non-nutritional components from the black beans, leaving only the “good stuff” that will help with heart health and maintaining a healthy diet. Since eating black beans lowers glucose, it also has benefits for patients with diabetes. The proteins found in beans could be used to produce healthy foods.

In the meantime, you can enjoy the health benefits of black beans by adding them to your grocery basket and making the legume a regular part of your diet. You can find plenty of recipes that use black beans online to add even more variety to your diet. Black beans can be enjoyed in everything from soups to salads to salsas and other foods. There’s even a black bean ice cream!

Regardless of whether or not you are at risk for heart disease or diabetes, or you just want to start eating healthier, black beans will be a welcome addition to your diet!

Sources for Today’s Article:

• “Antihypertensive and antioxidant activity in black beans,” Medical News Today web site, July 16, 2014; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/279614.php.
• “Black beans’ antihypertensive and antioxidant activity,” Health, Medical and Science Updates web site, July 12, 2014; http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/black-beans-antihypertensive-antioxidant-activity/nutrition-food-legumes/.
• “Researchers evaluate antioxidant and antihypertensive activity in Jamapa black beans,” News Medical web site, July 12, 2014; http://www.news-medical.net/news/20140714/Researchers-evaluate-antioxidant-and-antihypertensive-activity-in-Jamapa-black-beans.aspx.

This article “These Little Beans Pack a Big Health Punch” was originally published on DoctorsHealthPress, visit their site to access their vast database of articles and the latest information in natural health.


Victor Marchione, MD received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1973 and his Medical Degree from the University of Messina in 1981. He has been licensed and practicing medicine in New York and New Jersey for over 20 years. Dr. Marchione is a respected leader in the field of smoking cessation and pulmonary medicine. He has been featured on ABC News and World Report, CBS Evening News and the NBC Today Show and is the editor of the popular The Food Doctor newsletter. Dr. Marchione has also served as Principal Investigator in at least a dozen clinical research projects relating to serious ailments such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).