The Pinto bean is the most common bean used in the United States as well as commonly used in Mexico. You’ll often find them being used in Burritos among other beans like black beans and red kidney beans. What is it about these little beans that are so good for you? well read on for our Top 5 Health Benefits of Pinto Beans!
1. Helps to maintain blood pressure
Pinto beans contain low levels of sodium and high levels of potassium. Low sodium foods help you to maintain your blood pressure as too much sodium (salt) in the diet elevates blood pressure, putting extra strain on your heart. Potassium on the other hand, is your friend, it helps to balance out sodium levels thereby helping you to reduce and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Just 100g of pinto beans gives you up to 39% of your daily recommended intake of potassium.
2. High in fibre
One portion of 80g of pinto beans contains 12.8 grams of fibre, which is almost half of your daily fibre intake for a healthy gut. Pinto beans not only have high levels of dietary fibre, helping to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease, but they’re also one of your 5-a-day and really great for bulking up any meal.
3. High in iron
Iron in your diet is essential to produce red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body to your muscles, organs and cells for almost all bodily functions. So, iron intake is very important to reduce the risk of iron deficiency anaemia, where you can otherwise suffer from a lack of healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen.
4. Great source of magnesium
100 grams of Pinto beans contain 44% of your recommended daily intake of magnesium. Magnesium assists in ensuring your parathyroid glands function normally; the parathyroid glands produce hormones which are important for bone health.
5. Low in saturated fat
Pinto beans are low in saturated fats, which is great news for your heart. Too much saturated fat in your diet can heighten the risk of heart disease by increasing blood cholesterol levels. So, you definitely want to make sure that your overall diet includes foods low in saturated fat.
Check out the video above for some beany inspiration, why not try it out at home and let us know what you think. Beans are so easy to add into your everyday diet, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, they’re full of nutrients, super yummy and a great non-meat option for vegetarian or vegan meals. What beans work best for you and your health? Let us know in the comments below, join in the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! (Check out our other Top 5 articles to help you get YOUR Fit ON!)
