10. BEANS : FRENCH BEANS

BEANS

 FRENCH BEANS

Nutrition in 100 gm (Cooked)
Energy: 129 kcal
Carbohydrates	24.02 gm
Sugar	0 gm
Dietary fibre	9.4 gm
Water	66.57 gm
Fat	0.76 gm
Proteins	7.05 gm
Vitamin A	3 µ gm
Vit B1 (Thiamin)	0.13 mg
Vit B2 (Riboflavin)	0.062 mg
Vit B3 (Niacin)	0.546 mg
Pantothenic acid (Vit B5)	0.222 mg
Vit B6	0.105 mg
Vit B9 (Folate)	75 µ gm
Vitamin C (Absorbic acid)	1.2 mg
Vitamin E	0.9 µ gm
Calcium	63 mg
Iron	1.08 mg
Magnesium	56 mg
Phosphorus	102 mg
Potassium	370 mg
Zinc	0.64 mg

Children are familiar with the story of ‘Jack and the beanstalk’. Jack climbs up the bean plant and reaches a kingdom in the sky.

There are so many types of beans like French beans, broad beans, kidney beans, etc. Fresh beans are used as vegetable in the preparation of curry. Beans are tested for freshness by folding them. They should break with a sound. Many types of beans are used only for their seeds since the peel is too hard or fibrous. The seeds are dried. Dry seeds are soaked in water and sprouted. Sprouts are highly nutritious.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, beans were used as for voting. White bean is ‘yes’ and black is ‘no’. They were also used as food for the dead in festivals.

Benefits:

1. Parkison: Broad beans are rich in L-dopa, a substance used in the treatment for Parkinson disease.

2. Hypertension: L-dopa in broad beans is a natriuretic agent and hence it might help cure hypertension.

3. Viagra: Broad beans are also used as an alternative to drug Viagra.

Danger:  Lima beans can sometimes trigger allergic reactions causing hives, swelling of lips, eyes and upset stomach. Raw broad beans contain vicine, isouramil and convicine, which can cause hemolytic anaemia. Eating raw broad beans can cause constipation in children.