What is good about green beans: benefits and harms, list of contraindications and various ways to use them

Green beans in our country are better known as green beans. It received this name because the vegetable resembles asparagus in taste and appearance. However, the nutritional and vitamin composition of beans is much richer.

This legume is used both in cooking, and in folk medicine and even cosmetology. Let's consider what benefits green beans can bring and how to eat them correctly so as not to harm your health.

Composition of the product

Green beans are a healthy vegetable rich in minerals, vitamins and other organic compounds.

Nutritional value of the product (per 100 g):

• proteins – 2.5 g;
• carbohydrates – 3 g;
• water – 90 g;
• fats – 0.3 g;
• fiber – 3.4 g.

The calorie content of green beans is 23 kcal per 100 g.

The pods and seeds contain many useful elements and compounds. So, the composition of beans includes:

• ascorbic acid;
• carotene;
• folic acid;
• a nicotinic acid;
• tocopherol;
• proteins;
• cellulose;
• vitamins A and E;
• fats;
• carbohydrates;
• minerals (zinc, copper, chromium, iron, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium).

The benefits and harms of green beans

With regular consumption of green beans, the unique composition of the product contributes to:

• reducing the risk of heart attack and strengthening the immune system;
• normalization of the menstrual cycle and hormonal levels in women;
• improving the functioning of the genitourinary system in men;
• prevention of prostate adenoma;
• skin toning, rejuvenating effect;
• stopping hair loss and restoring it;
• cleansing the body of toxins;
• replenishment of calcium deficiency;
• getting rid of sand in the kidneys.

In addition, this vegetable helps cope with nervous disorders and stress.

For gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gout, cholecystitis, it is recommended to exclude it from the diet. People prone to constipation are advised to consume the product with caution.

The raw pods contain the toxic substance phenazine. It can lead to severe poisoning and damage the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. Therefore, green beans are always initially subjected to heat treatment and only then do they begin to prepare dishes.

Important! The initial cooking time should be at least half an hour to destroy all harmful substances.

Frozen product

Green beans tolerate freezing well. The benefits of the product do not change: almost all vitamins, minerals and fiber are preserved. The main condition for the preservation of beneficial properties is the absence of re-freezing. Recommendations for consumption remain the same as for freshly picked pods.

Freezing is the easiest way to prepare beans for the winter. The boiled pods need to be cooled, packaged in bags or containers and placed in the freezer.

Important! Freeze beans in small portions for one use. Avoid repeated freezing: it destroys vitamins and nutrients.

Vegetables in the diet of pregnant women and children

During pregnancy, women adjust their menus, trying to select products with the greatest benefit for the unborn baby. Black Eyed Peas – an excellent source of folic acid, iron and B vitamins. These nutrients ensure the full development of the fetus.

For children aged 7-8 months, green bean pods are introduced into complementary foods along with other vegetables. They are added in small quantities to soups and purees from other vegetables to which the baby is not allergic. Begin introducing it into the diet with half a teaspoon.

Green beans in dietary nutrition

What are the benefits of green beans for weight loss? Firstly, it is a low-calorie product, which allows it to be the basis of a variety of diets. Secondly, the vegetable contains phaseolamine, a plant extract that blocks enzymes that break down carbohydrates.

As a result, glucose and other sugars do not enter the blood. The body is deprived of its main source of energy, without which its vital activity is impossible. Glycogen reserves from the liver and muscles are used. The next source of energy is subcutaneous fat. Thus, by regularly eating green beans, a person loses weight.

Important! The green vegetable is included in diets for diabetics due to the arginine it contains. This substance helps lower sugar levels, like insulin.

Recommendations from cosmetologists

Legumes are used in cosmetology to maintain health and give freshness to skin and hair.

Rinsing with a decoction of the pods makes hair strong and silky, stimulates its growth and eliminates dandruff.

For people with sensitive and dry skin, cosmetologists recommend making easy-to-make masks from fresh green beans. Grind 50 g of pods into a pulp, add 15 ml of vegetable oil and grapefruit juice, mix. Apply to skin for 15 minutes.After the procedure, wash your face with warm water.

Traditional medicine recipes

In drug therapy for many diseases, to obtain greater effect, it is recommended to combine the use of drugs with folk remedies. Green beans are a good helper in the treatment of diabetes. Let's look at how to take it correctly.

Decoction of the pods

Place 50 bean pods in 2 liters of hot water. Soak in a water bath for three hours, strain. Drink the decoction four times a day, 200 ml before meals. The course of application is three months.

Green bean tea

Pour 15 g of crushed pods with a glass of boiling water, cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Let the tea brew and cool, strain it. Take two tablespoons three times daily before meals.

Green bean decoction and tea help maintain blood sugar levels at the desired level for several hours.

Important! When using traditional recipes, do not forget to follow the diet prescribed by your doctor.

Use in cooking and recipes

The vegetable is popular in cooking: it is added to casseroles, salads, stir-fries, soups and omelettes. We present you several interesting recipes based on green beans.

Stewed beans with chicken

A tasty and very easy to prepare dish.

Ingredients:

• chicken breast – 2 pcs.;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• onions – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 1 clove;
• Bulgarian pepper - 1 PC.;
• green beans – 0.5 kg;
• salt, seasonings, dill, parsley - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Cut the chicken breast and fry in a frying pan.
2. Add onion half rings, grated carrots, spices and salt to taste to the browned chicken pieces.
3. Cut the peppers and garlic into strips and add the vegetables to the pan.
4. Place the boiled beans in a frying pan, cover with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat.
5. Before turning off the burner, add finely chopped herbs to the dish being prepared, stir, cover with a lid and let sit for a few minutes.

Serve hot. This dish goes well with a creamy garlic sauce dressing.

Bean stew with mushrooms

Legumes in dishes go well not only with vegetables and meat, but also with mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• champignons – 350 g;
• frozen or fresh green beans – 400 g;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• ground black pepper and salt - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Cut the mushrooms into thin slices, onions into half rings, and chop the garlic.
2. While you are busy chopping vegetables, let the pods boil. At the end of cooking, drain them in a colander to get rid of excess water.
3. In a hot frying pan in vegetable oil, fry the garlic and onion until golden brown.
4. Add mushrooms. Do not cover the pan so that all the liquid evaporates.
5. Add beans.
6. Mix well and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Stewed beans with vegetables

In Korean, Greek, and Italian cuisine there are vegetable dishes based on green beans. They differ in the method of preparation and the set of ingredients.

We offer you a recipe for Greek beans.

Ingredients:

• green beans – 200 g;
• carrots – 1 pc.;
• potatoes – 3 pcs.;
• tomatoes - 4 things.;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• onions – 2 pcs.;
• tomato paste – 400 ml;
• dill and parsley - a bunch each;
• sugar, pepper, salt.

Preparation:

1. Cut off the tails of washed and boiled pods.
2. Cut the beans into 3-4 cm pieces, the potatoes into strips, and the tomatoes into thin slices.
3. Place onion, cut into half rings, in a hot frying pan with vegetable oil.
4. Once the onion turns golden, add finely chopped garlic.
5. After three minutes, you can add potatoes, onions and carrots.
6. Fry the vegetables over medium heat, add tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley and a pinch of sugar.
7. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer over low heat for an hour.
8. 10 minutes before readiness, sprinkle the stew with spices, dill and salt.

The dish is served hot, garnished with grated cheese and nuts.

How to prepare green beans for the winter

We have already covered the simplest method - freezing. A more labor-intensive method of preparation is canning.

Ingredients:

• green beans – 3 kg;
• 9% vinegar – 50 g;
• salt – 1 tbsp. l.;
• sugar – 100 g;
• water – 1 l.

Important! For pickling, choose pods that are not overripe and firm without damage.

Preparation:

1. Rinse the beans under running water and trim the tails.
2. Cut into small pieces, fill with water.
3. Place the pan on the fire for 5-10 minutes and drain in a colander.
4. Place the pods in sterile jars and pour boiling water over them. Let it brew for half an hour.
5. Pour the water into the pan and bring to a boil again.
6. Add sugar, vinegar, salt.
7. Pour the resulting marinade into jars and seal them with lids.
8. Place the jars on the lids and cover with a warm blanket. Leave in this state until completely cooled.

Marinated beans are served as a salad with the addition of chopped nuts and garlic. You can season it with mayonnaise or vegetable oil.

Conclusion

Green beans are a storehouse of vitamins and nutrients. When consumed regularly, it promotes weight loss.Legumes can be grown in the garden and stored until spring in the form of frozen or canned food, providing yourself with vitamins throughout the winter.

This vegetable can become the basis of many tasty and healthy dishes, and also serve as a cosmetic and health-improving traditional medicine.