A variety of the bean family, the black representative has a pleasant taste. In addition, it is very useful for human food. Peru is considered to be the origin of black beans, but it was brought to Russia from France, which is why it got the nickname “French beans”. We learn what is so useful this type of legumes and how it is used in cooking.
Calorie and nutritional value
It is established that the darker the skin of legumes, the more it contains antioxidants. From this point of view, it is more beneficial than black beans not to find beans. By the number of contained nutritional fibers, it will also give odds to any other representative of the bean family. 
A portion (170 g) of black grains contains from 15 to 25 g of fiber (more than half the daily norm) and 15 g of protein (one third of the daily norm), which is comparable in calories to 60 g of meat.
Important! 100 g of the product contains 130 calories. This is 6.3% of the daily requirement.
Vitamins, micro and macronutrients
Black beans are rich in all the necessary for the human body vitamins and nutrients. It includes:
- vitamin E (improves the appearance of the skin);
- Vitamin C (supports the immune system);
- vitamin A (for full vision);
- vitamin K (positive effect on the work of the heart and blood vessels);
- B vitamins (activate brain activity);
- vitamin PP (improves the digestive tract);
- iodine (stabilizes the thyroid gland);
- calcium (strengthens bones);
- potassium (for the full work of the heart);
- iron (promotes blood renewal);
- zinc (normalizes hormonal background);
- folic acid (strengthens the nervous system);
- pectins (remove cholesterol);
- oleic acid (maintains normal body weight).
In addition, black grains contain about 20 different amino acids. 
What is useful black beans
The fruits of these legumes due to their composition have a positive effect on the human body. They are low-calorie, while very nourishing and absorbed by the body quite easily. This type of legume is an ideal product for those who adhere to a diet for weight loss.
Doctors recommend eating this beans to people who have digestive and intestinal problemsbecause it has a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane, eliminates inflammation, prevents the appearance of oxidative effects, helps to fight against constipation.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties of beans (white and red), the preparation of beans in tomato sauce, as well as the cultivation of beans in the garden.
Vitamin composition of the product ensures stable operation of all organs:
- improves bowel function;
- prevents anemia;
- improves rheumatism;
- protects against problems with the respiratory system;
- relieves swelling;
- stabilizes blood sugar;
- relieves gastritis and colitis;
- normalizes pressure;
- promotes the removal of kidney stones;
- reduces the risk of varicose veins.
For men
The benefits to the male body from the regular intake of beans are beyond doubt. Zinc contained in the composition is an important component for men's health. It improves the quality of sperm, enhances potency and helps fight prostatitis. Thus, this fruit improves sexual function strong sex.
Did you know? In Bulgaria, in late November, it is customary to celebrate the Day of the bean. During the ceremony, guests are treated to all sorts of dishes from this product.
For women
For women, this type of legume is also extremely helpful. It reduces the negative manifestations of menopause, helps fight excess weight, has a rejuvenating effect on the skin of the face. In addition, the nutrients that make up the black grains, improve the condition of hair and nails.
Usage features
Black beans have their own characteristics for pregnant women and for those who follow a diet for weight loss.
Pregnant
Pregnant this product can be of great benefit.
Fiber helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins, eliminate constipation, and also creates a feeling of fullness. This is very important for women in a situation who are constantly experiencing hunger. 
Doctors prescribe vitamins for almost all pregnant women. folic acid. Black beans can easily replace any preparations with its content.
IronA part of this product helps to prevent one of the most common diseases in pregnancy - anemia.
Important! Legumes can help only with a slight form of anemia. Heavier cases cannot be eliminated with food alone.
Positive influence black beans on pregnant such moments:
- Calcium helps in the early stages in the formation of tissues and the heart of a child, and in later ones in the formation of bones;
- zinc and iodine are involved in the physical and mental formation of the baby;
- potassium forms blood vessels and heart;
- magnesium strengthens the nervous system.
Read also about the cultivation, composition and beneficial properties, harvesting (freezing, drying) green peas.
Losing weight
Useful properties of beans for those who adhere to the diet:
- low calorie;
- rapid saturation;
- low glycemic index;
- the presence of carbohydrates that interrupt the feeling of hunger.
Also, a high protein content accelerates the metabolism, due to which there is a rapid weight loss.
With diabetes
Doctors recommend adding black beans to people with diabetes to maintain health and reduce sugar. Due to the fact that it includes a large number of nutrients and vitamins, the body is easier to resist various diseases and infections. In diabetes, it is very important not to “catch” an additional sore and not to aggravate the state of health.
Find out what healthy beans are for and how to grow them in open field.
How to choose beans when buying
When choosing beans in dried should pay attention to its appearance:
- beans must not have visible damage from insects;
- there should be no cracks;
- As a rule, high-quality grains do not stick together and are well poured.
Shelf life must meet the norm, otherwise the beans lose all useful properties. 
Canned Beans must meet the following requirements:
- valid period for use;
- lack of additional ingredients, except water and salt;
- no muddy brine and impurities.
Did you know? There are more than 200 different types of beans in the world.
How to store at home
In order to keep the bean as long as possible, you must comply 2 important conditions:
- air humidity is not higher than 50%;
- temperature - not higher than +10 ° С.
The refrigerator perfectly meets these requirements.
For harvesting you need to do the following operations:
- dry the beans in the sun;
- get the fruit out of the pods and put them in a container (for this purpose, cloth bags or glass jars are best suited);
- put containers in a cool place.
If you follow all the above rules, the grains will be able to be stored for up to 2 years without losing their beneficial properties. 
How to use in cooking
Black beans have an unusual pleasant taste with a sweetish tinge. It is prepared as a main dish, used in salads or soups.
Dishes made from this product are popular in Latin America. There the beans are used as second bread. It is combined with many products of both vegetable and animal origin.
Do I need to pre-soak
For faster cooking of legumes, it is recommended to pre-soak them. This can be done at night and start cooking in the morning, or pour water in the morning, and cook in the evening. In any embodiment, the beans infused for about 8 hours. This procedure is also carried out in order to get rid of oligosaccharides, which are poorly digested in the stomach and subsequently cause bloating.
Asparagus or green beans - a type of beans, in which the whole pod is edible. Check out the best varieties and cultivation features of this legume.
What can be cooked and combined with
This product is perfectly combined with such products:
- bow;
- garlic;
- hot peppers;
- oregano;
- various vegetables in salads.
The black product in Latin America and elsewhere in the world is used to prepare such dishes:
- pate;
- paste;
- potache soup from the cuisine of Guatemala;
- borscht;
- vegetable stew;
- veggie cutlets;
- fish sauces;
- dip (Guatemalan sauce for chips);
- vegetable pancakes and pancakes;
- bakery products.
In Cuba, amazing fruit salads are made from this ingredient, and in Guatemala, skilled chefs have come up with a cover of boiled beans with dark chocolate.
Surprisingly, peanuts can be called a nut only from a culinary point of view: it is a legume crop, the fruits of which grow in the ground, for which the plant is also called peanuts.
Contraindications and harm
Despite the fact that black beans are considered to be one of the most satisfying dishes, it is also the heaviest type of bean. Therefore, its preparation and use should be taken seriously.
Important! The coarse grain structure can irritate the stomach and aggravate gastritis.
There are diseases in which to eat this product prohibited:
- gastritis;
- gastric ulcer ;;
- gout;
- bloating;
- legume intolerance;
- bean allergy.
Even if a person does not suffer from such problems, it is better to consult a nutritionist before eating black beans.
This type of legumes is rich in various micro and macro elements and has a positive effect on human health. It is equally useful for both men and women. With proper storage and preparation of black beans, healthy nutritional main dishes and additives are obtained. But with all its positive characteristics, one should not forget about contraindications and always consult a doctor before eating.
