Pinto beans are small, but very impressive as they nutrient-rich, low fat and an excellent source of protein and fiber. They also called the mottled beans because of their mottled appearance. It seems as if someone has painted them, hence their name "pinto," which in Spanish means, "painted." These beans have a wide range of benefits, which are explained below.
- Rich in Protein
Protein is essential for every function of the body and help to repair and regenerate the cells as well. It is also useful in managing the weight because it gives the feeling of fullness and helps prevent hunger and overeating. The average daily requirement of protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. The rich protein content in pinto beans makes them a good alternative to meat or dairy products, which are often higher in calories due to the presence of saturated fat. A one cup serving provides about 30 percent of the recommended daily value of protein.
Add non dairy protein to your diet, click here to know more
- Provide Dietary Fiber
One cup of cooked pinto beans provides about 60 percent of the recommended daily value of fiber. Women should consume 21 - 25 grams of fiber each day, while men should get 30 - 38 grams. Foods rich in fiber prevent rapid rises of blood sugar levels after a meal. These mottled beans help to stabilize blood sugar even as they provide a steady flow of energy. This makes them ideal for preventing and protecting from diabetes. Also, insoluble fiber increases stool bulk, which helps avoid digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. The high fiber content additionally helps to lower blood cholesterol. Fiber rich food reduces the chances of developing hemorrhoids and diverticular disease.
Add fiber to your food for better health, click here to know more
3. Help with Energy Production Plus Antioxidant Defenses
Pinto beans are a very good source of manganese and a good source of copper, the two minerals that are for a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which destroys free radicals produced within the mitochondria. Copper is necessary for the activity of lysyl oxidase enzyme, which helps cross-linking of collagen and elastin, which is required for flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints. Pinto beans are also the source of iron along with the above-mentioned copper, both of which are vital for hemoglobin. Though it is composed mostly of iron, its synthesis relies on copper that is without copper, iron cannot be properly utilized in hemoglobin.
Green tea is extremely rich in antioxidants, click here to know more
4. Accommodative to Sulfites Sensitive
Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared foods like salads and salad bars. People who are sensitive to sulfites, have insufficient molybdenum in their body detoxify them. Sulfite sensitivity causes rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation. Pinto beans are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites.
People who are sensitive to sulphur find it difficult to use even shampoo that has sulphur, click here to know more
5. Promotes Healthy Memory
Pinto beans also contain vitamin B, which is not contributes for energy production, but also has important brain cell/cognitive function. It helps in the synthesis of acetylcholine, which is an important neurotransmitter required for memory. Vitamin B1 deficiency leads to a declined mental function and causes the Alzheimer's disease. One cup of the beans provides about 20 percent of the recommended daily value for vitamin B1.
Boost your memory with tea, click here to know more
- Healthy for Heart
Pinto beans contain magnesium and folate, which are very important for a healthy heart. Magnesium helps to prevent build-up of calcium deposits in the blood, relaxes the blood vessels, both of which improve blood flow in the body. Magnesium also enhances the distribution of oxygen and required nutrients to the heart and body. Magnesium deficiency increases the risk of heart attacks. Folate reduces the occurrence of homocysteine in the blood, which in high levels increases the risk heart problems.
Keeping the heart healthy is very important, click here to know more
- Potassium
Potassium in the body helps to stabilize blood pressure and therefore support a heart health. It also is vital for nerve transmissions. Additionally, as an electrolyte, they help the body maintain the right balance of fluids. Pinto beans are one of the richest legume sources of potassium. One cup provides about 800 micrograms of this mineral.
Black plum is very rich in potassium as well, click here to know more
One cup of pinto beans provides more than 20 percent of the recommended dietary allowance of six vitamins and minerals, so adding them to the diet in a variety of creative and tasty ways allows to access its nutrients.
Legumes as a family are very healthy, one can have them in various combinations to suit their palate, click here to know more