Red beans - one of the oldest cultivated plants, whose homeland is considered to be South America. However, it is reliably known that the plant was cultivated in ancient Rome and Egypt. Moreover, this variety is mentioned in Chinese annals dated 2800 BC. The beans of this plant have many beneficial qualities and are indispensable food.
Calorie and nutritional value
Red beans are characterized by high energy value. This indicator is calculated based on the concentration of calories per 100 g of product. Raw beans contain 298 kcal. 
Nutritional value (proportion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates):
- proteins - 21 g (about 84 kcal);
- fats - 2 g (approximately 18 kcal);
- carbohydrates - 47 g (about 188 kcal).
Find out what the benefits of beans for the body.In addition, the proteins of these legumes are easier for the body to digest. All this makes red beans an essential product in the diet of vegetarians. The product also becomes a salvation in the days of fasting. The saturation of red grains with fatty acids is 0.2 g. Ash is contained in the amount of 3.6 g, starch - 43.8 g, mono- and disaccharides - 3.2 g, water - 14 g.
Did you know? An acquaintance of a European man with red beans is considered to be the merit of Christopher Columbus. At the beginning of the 16th century, an Italian navigator brought bright elongated grains from New World. In Europe, culture quickly gained universal love, but only in decorative quality. For food purposes, the fruits of the plant began to be used only after two hundred years. - in the XVIII century.
Vitamin and mineral composition
In the red beans found a huge number of vitamins and minerals, vital for humans. It should be noted that of all types of beans the most saturated with organic substances is red, it is a source of almost all the beneficial elements required for the proper functioning of the body. The fruit of the plant is especially rich in potassium, and the concentration of pyridoxine is half the daily norm for humans. 
Content of organic matter in 100 g of product:
- Niacin - 6.4 mg;
- Vitamin B3 - 2.1 mg;
- Vitamin B5 - 1.2 mg;
- pyridoxine - 0.9 mg;
- tocopherol - 0.6 mg;
- thiamine - 0.5 mg;
- Riboflavin - 0.18 mg;
- Vitamin B9 - 90 micrograms.
- potassium - 1100 mg;
- copper - 580 mg;
- phosphorus - 480 mg;
- sulfur - 159 mg;
- calcium - 150 mg;
- silicon - 92 mg;
- chlorine - 58 mg;
- sodium 40 mg;
- iron - 5.9 mg;
- zinc - 3.21 mg;
- magnesium - 1.34 mg;
- aluminum - 640 mcg;
- boron - 490 mcg;
- vanadium - 190 mcg;
- Nickel - 173.2 mcg;
- titanium - 150 mcg;
- fluorine - 44 mcg;
- molybdenum - 39.4 mcg;
- selenium - 24.9 mcg;
- cobalt - 18.7 mcg;
- iodine - 12.1 mcg;
- chromium - 10 µg.
Each organic substance or mineral that is part of the red type of legumes, strictly perform its function.What is useful red beans
Regular addition of this product to your own diet allows you to enhance immunity, confidently achieve weight loss, improve the state of the nervous system, improve the appearance of the skin and much more.
Cook the beans in tomato sauce for the winter.
For men
As a rich source of dietary fiber, the grain of this plant is held in high esteem by men who play sports. Fiber provides a feeling of satiety for a long time, helps to get rid of toxins, improve metabolism, and improve digestion. Legumes give energy, but at the same time the calories obtained from this culture do not turn into excess weight. Thus, the product serves to prevent obesity and the accompanying ailments.
For men, it is useful to eat walnut, cardamom and horseradish.In addition, red grains are shown as a universal product for men, as they contribute to the improvement of potency, give energy and vigor. The product is also useful for those who spend most of their work time in a sitting position (in particular, for truckers).
For women
The positive impact of red beans on the body of the fair sex is also not in doubt. With frequent consumption of these legumes in women significantly improves the condition of hair, skin, nails and teeth. This is possible due to calcium and magnesium. Bean culture also serves as a good anti-stress product. Arginine in the composition of the plant has a beneficial effect on reproductive function. Plus, the culture is rich in folic acid, which is very important for a woman's health.
Check out the main varieties of beans, and learn how to care for beans in the garden.Especially the plant is valuable for the skin:
- prevents the formation of pigment spots;
- is a prophylactic against wrinkles;
- evens out complexion.
Is it possible
Consider the nuances of the use of red varieties of legumes for pregnant and lactating women, for children, for losing weight, as well as for certain diseases. 
Pregnant
As a result of the regular use of red bean in food, future mothers will greatly benefit from it. The product will solve the problem of nausea in the morning, constipation, edema in late gestation. Plus, this variety is a prophylactic and prevents many ailments. Due to the light sedative effect of beans, women in position will be able to pacify their nervous condition, get rid of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Beans are also useful for pregnant women with high blood pressure, problems with blood vessels, strong toxicosis, low hemoglobin. This product will be a real salvation for future mothers on a vegetarian diet.
Nursing mothers
Most doctors believe that during the period of breastfeeding you cannot eat any legumes, including red beans. Experts say that being gas-forming foods, legumes can cause bloating in an infant and cause severe intestinal cramps. However, official studies have not confirmed the direct dependence of the mother's use of beans and the occurrence of gases in a child. 
Of course, if your baby is suffering from gas, you should try to identify a similar relationship. To do this for 6-8 days, exclude beans from your diet and watch the crumbs. If the problem disappeared and reappeared as soon as you returned to the beans, you should abandon this product.
Losing weight
There are more than a hundred varieties of beans, but nutritionists are of particular interest to red beans. For a long time, this product is not recommended for diets, because it is rich in carbohydrates and has a high calorie content. Today, for many reasons, nutritionists have changed their point of view. As it turned out, red beans are not fattening at all, but, on the contrary, help to lose those extra pounds.
If you are trying to lose weight, you must enter into your diet simple carbohydrates, namely, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, peppers and buckwheat.The product includes a large amount of antioxidants, easily digestible protein and fiber. Since the beans can completely replace the protein contained in meat and fish, it is simply necessary for people worrying about their shape. Vegetable protein is very nutritious, which guarantees the body a long-lasting feeling of fullness. The beans are digested for a long time, and therefore they permanently relieve the feeling of hunger. Moreover, by systematically eating beans reduces the risk of obesity. The culture includes tyrosine, which prevents weight gain. Red fruits tend to block calories. They inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates, which reduces the calorie content of food. Also, the beans include a number of elements that reduce cholesterol and glucose in the blood, which allows you to keep body weight under control. There are a lot of diets all over the world, the basic component of which is red beans. This kind of program involves three meals a day, where the basis of the daily diet is a glass of boiled red beans.
With diabetes
The special advantage of red beans is its use in diabetes. This plant can deservedly be called healing for diabetics. Beans have the following beneficial effects on the patient's body:
- normalize blood glucose levels;
- have antimicrobial effects (remove harmful toxins from the body);
- restore metabolism.
In case of diabetes, take marigold, Jerusalem artichoke, turnip, yucca, blueberry, white acacia, viburnum, creeping couch grass, dogwood, stevia, currant, cactus, orange, radish, apricot, green onion, blueberry, beet, parsley, Chinese cabbage, aspen, thistle and purple carrot.
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
For people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract, there are some limitations in the consumption of red bean. However, the product is not contraindicated in such patients. On the contrary, nutritious meals are prepared from the beans, permitted even by patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology. The product stabilizes the functions of the intestines and stomach, prevents diarrhea. If gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the digestive tract are accompanied by reduced secretory activity of the gastric glands, the consumption of beans will improve the condition and increase the secretion of gastric juice. 
However, in the composition of the bean culture, a lot of coarse fiber was found, which forms gases. To avoid inflammation, the product is not recommended to take in the period of acute peptic ulcer or gastritis. In addition, in the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract canned tinned product is harmful. Such beans are processed with food additives and sodium. Much safer and healthier beans cooked at home. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract bean puree is perfect.
From what age can children
The red bean has the same beneficial effect on a child’s body as it does on an adult. But it is important to know exactly at what age the fruits of this plant can already be fed to the child. Red bean dishes are hardly absorbed by the baby’s body during the first years of life. Therefore, too early inclusion of legumes in the diet can cause increased gas formation and constipation. Pediatricians are advised not to feed children with red beans at least until the age of two.
Important! Red beans are acceptable for a child only in small quantities - the volume of servings should not exceed 100 g.After 2-3 years, the product must be pre-frayed. Another important point - the child should not be offered beans as a separate dish. Beans should be added to soups or other dishes with several ingredients. The full introduction of red beans into the child’s diet is allowed from the age of three. As for the frequency of consumption, bean dishes should be fed to children no more than 2 times a week. Do not forget to control the volume of servings. Eating too much will lead to digestive problems.
How to use in cooking
Red beans delight not only the vitamin and mineral composition, but also its taste. This product has the ability to retain its beneficial and medicinal characteristics when cooking and canning.
Do I need to pre-soak
Despite all the benefits of this culture, with improper preparation, you can suffer from indigestion or poisoning. Raw beans, especially red beans, contain an enormous amount of phasin toxic substance. For this reason, before using the beans, it is recommended to pre-soak in cold water and leave to swell for several hours (you can overnight). 
In addition, soaking helps to boil hard beans faster. After soaking the water is drained. Then the product is poured with clean water and subjected to heat treatment (boil for about 10 minutes). Thus, the beans will be cleared of harmful components. To avoid strong flatulence after eating beans, it should be eaten with dill.
What can be cooked and combined with
Red bean dishes are most often used in the national cuisines of India, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey. The red variety is suitable for the preparation of multi-component dishes. And due to its nutritional properties, this product can easily be used as a separate side dish. The most popular dish of this product is considered lobio.
Also from the beans you can cook the first dishes (soups), side dishes, full main dishes and a variety of salads. Vegetable salads with the addition of red beans are especially tasty: this culture is perfectly combined with any vegetables. There are a lot of similar recipes. Beans are also ideally combined with roasted onions, tomatoes, garlic, fragrant greens, fresh cheeses, walnuts and eggs. Another of the red legumes are preparing very tasty fillings for pies. And using canned food in the kitchen, you can save your time and energy without losing the quality and taste of the beans. Legumes do not harmonize with meat and fish, since each of these products includes a large amount of protein. The body will not be able to digest them. Undigested food is deposited in the stomach in the form of fat.
If you have cooked red beans, a meat or fish dish for dinner, serve vegetables as a side dish. In addition, the protein itself in each product has a different structure, which also makes undesirable combination of protein cultures. If the table presents bean, meat and fish dishes, always give preference to something alone.
Did you know? UK residents eat as many beans as people in other countries eat all together.
How can be used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes
Red bean variety is used not only for food, but also in traditional medicine recipes. In addition, this product is often used in the field of cosmetology. From it prepare a mask with the effect of moisture and nutrition. 
Diuretic
Bean culture has cleansing properties. A high concentration of potassium makes it a strong diuretic. It dissolves and drives urine from the body. These legumes can be safely used by people who have a tendency to the formation of edema. The diuretic effect is mainly due to the peel of the grains or the flaps of the beans. Take an infusion of crushed plant parts (40 g) per 1 liter of cold water. Leave to infuse overnight, then strain. Drink the infusion of 200 ml 3-4 times a day.
For better healing of wounds and cuts
Flour from the fruit of red beans helps in the healing process of shallow wounds, cuts, and is also useful for various skin diseases. Flour is very effective in the treatment of weeping eczema, ulcers, burns and purulent wounds. Sprinkle the affected areas with bean flour. Repeat the procedure several times a day. 
The composition of flour and honey (in a 1: 1 ratio) proved to be excellent. Form the bean-honey cakes and put them on the surface of the wound.
Nourishing mask
To prepare a nourishing face mask, you need the following ingredients:
- ground beans - 2 tbsp. l .;
- boiled grated carrots - 2 tbsp. l .;
- sour cream or cream - 2 tbsp. l
It will be interesting to know how the green beans, asparagus and white beans are useful.
Cleansing mask
To clean and refresh the skin of the face, take the following natural products:
- ground beans - 2 tbsp. l .;
- cottage cheese - 1 tbsp. l .;
- grated on a fine grater fresh cucumber - 1 tbsp. l
The procedure helps not only to clean, but also to tone and brighten the skin. You can apply the mask a maximum of 2 times a week.Contraindications and symptoms of poisoning
Despite the usefulness of the plant, the use of red beans for food still suggests some warnings. It is forbidden to use for people suffering from such illnesses:
- colitis;
- язвенная болезнь желудка и двенадцатиперстной кишки;
- gastritis;
- холецистит;
- артроз и артрит;
- gout;
- нефрит.
It is also worth mentioning the property of beans to cause flatulence, which is associated with limited protein breakdown in the body. Gas formation in itself is not dangerous, but this is a rather unpleasant phenomenon. The undesirable effect can be partially eliminated if you increase the cooking time of the beans or add spices to the food.Important! Always remember that raw red beans are extremely dangerous. It is a toxic product that can cause serious poisoning.Symptoms of intoxication with red beans appear 30-60 minutes after ingestion, less often - several hours later:
- nausea, vomiting;
- belching air;
- diarrhea;
- colicky pain in the umbilical region;
- gas formation;
- possible development of dehydration.
Other types of beans
In addition to the red variety, this ancient annual crop has about 200 varieties, differing in the color of the grains or the shape of the plant.
White
The white variety is the most popular type of legume used for grain. Culture has excellent taste, is a source of large amounts of low-calorie fiber and protein. The product is also rich in iron, calcium, thereby strengthening the teeth and bones. It has antimicrobial, sugar reducing, antibacterial, diuretic and wound healing effects. Haricot is perfectly combined with almost any product and is well suited as a side dish and base for soups. In addition, white beans do not cause bloating as much as red beans. 
Green
Green beans are soft and delicate pods that retain all their beneficial properties even after cooking or freezing. An important feature of the culture is the ability not to absorb toxic substances. And valuable vitamins and trace elements in the composition of the pods perfectly resist free radicals in the body and improve overall health. Unlike other legumes, this plant contains an order of magnitude less dietary fiber. Due to this, green beans are classified as low-calorie foods - they are easily digested. Eat the pods whole, together with the skin. Preparing a vegetable product quite easily, by quickly cooking in salted water. 
Yellow
Yellow string beans are large pods with a bright color, suitable for use in different forms: boiled, blanched, steamed, pickled, stewed, fried or cheese. Raw yellow pods retain the maximum amount of their beneficial properties. A feature of this species is the fact that it absolutely does not absorb poisons from the soil or air. The pods found a mass of organic substances, minerals, as well as protein and fiber. Consumption of this type normalizes hormonal balance, helps with anemia and in the fight against diabetes, is a good tranquilizer. 
Purple
Violet is a nutritious product that has an original appearance and excellent taste. This variety is very popular with gardeners. It is used for nutritional purposes at different stages of maturation. Young pods contain especially many useful elements. In addition, the culture is rich in beneficial amino acids and nutritive protein. Taking only 100 grams of this bean, the body receives a daily rate of magnesium. The plant is considered a dietary product, but has the ability to maintain a feeling of fullness of the stomach. 
Black
The black variety is less popular than the white and red, but from this it is no less useful. Black beans are rich in protein (up to 9 g per 100 g). Small beans have a silky black skin tone. Ready-made grains are delicate, but at the same time dense in structure (they perfectly hold the shape). Black beans have many healing qualities, they have an antibacterial and wound-healing effect on the body. With their regular use characteristic normalization of the chemical balance in the stomach. 
So, we can summarize that red beans are the most valuable product that combines many organic substances and trace elements. However, it is important to be able to properly cook these legumes. Also, do not forget about the available warnings.
