Green bean, also called French Cut Bean or String Bean, is a common bean that provides important amounts of colorful pigments to our body. As stated on The World Healthiest Foods (whfoods.com), green beans contain a wide variety of carotenoids (including lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin) and flavonoids (including quercetin, kaempferol, catechins, epicatechins, and procyanidins) that have all been shown to have health-supportive antioxidant properties.

In addition, the overall antioxidant capacity of green beans has been measured in several research studies. In one study, green beans have been shown to have greater overall antioxidant capacity than similar foods in the pea and bean families, for example, snow peas or winged beans.

We all know that consuming too much of a good thing may not be good for us, and so do green beans. The best practice is to follow your doctor’s advice and know your body. It has been proven that consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many adverse health conditions, as stated by medicalnewstoday.com.

Suggestions from Studies

Many studies have suggested that increasing the consumption of plant foods like green beans decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight. (medicalnewstoday.com)

Although these studies have shown that green beans contain a high amount of chlorophyll which can block the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines generated when grilling meats at a high temperature, you will only benefit from all the vitamins and nutrients if only a well-balanced diet is properly followed. Because of the high chlorophyll content, it has been proven that green beans contain properties that may decrease your risk of certain types of cancer.

As a good source of Folic Acid, one cup of green beans provides approximately 10% of daily folic acid needs and 6% iron, which is great for women of childbearing age. Consuming more iron from plant sources such as spinach, beans, pumpkin, and green beans appears to promote fertility, according to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publications.

String Beans and Depression

The big D, Depression, which everyone wants to avoid, carries many consequences if ignored and not treated properly. Every year depression kills many people around the world. According to medicalnewstoday.com, meeting your daily folate needs may also help with depression. Adequate folate consumption can prevent an excess of homocysteine in the body, preventing blood and other nutrients from reaching the brain. Excess homocysteine can interfere with producing the feel-good hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate mood, sleep, and even appetite.

Bone Health

Lastly, bone health is important for longevity. Green beans contain vitamin K, which helps maintain strong bones while playing a prominent role in blood clotting and helps heal wounds. According to medicalnewstoday.com, low intakes of vitamin K have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture. Adequate vitamin K consumption improves bone health by acting as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, improving calcium absorption, and reducing urinary excretion of calcium. One cup of green beans provides 14.4 micrograms of vitamin K (almost 20% of daily need) and 4% of calcium.

We are aware of the importance of a balanced diet and know that vegetables similar to green beans play an important role in our diet. The high fiber content in green beans helps sustain cholesterol and sugar levels in your body. Consuming the right amount and the right vegetables and fruits may protect us from many illnesses. The best advice is to eat right, eat in moderation, and exercise right. We want to live a happy and healthy life, then that’s what is needed!