Vegetable - French Beans - Health Benefits

French Beans

1. Antioxidant properties :French beans are low in calories, contain only a little saturated fat, and are an excellent source of plant-derived micro-nutrients, minerals and vitamins like A, B1, B6, C and health promoting flavonoid ploy phenolic antioxidants, such as lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and help the body build resistance against infectious agents and feast on harmful oxygen free radicals and reactive oxygen species that play a role in the ageing process.
2. Asthma and Migraine headaches :The magnesium present in French beans helps in relieving fatigue, relaxing sore muscles, nerves and blood vessels, thereby relieving the symptoms of asthma and migraine headaches.
3. Pregnancy :French beans is considered good during preconception pregnancy period as it is a good source of folate which helps in preventing neural tube defects in the offspring.
4. Oxygen to cells :The iron element in French beans helps in respiration at a cellular level by synthesizing haemoglobin that helps to carry oxygen to cells.
5. Bulk laxative :The dietary fibber, present in French beans in excellent quantity, acts as a bulk laxative that helps to protect the mucus membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure to toxic substances. It binds itself to the cancer causing agents in the colon, thereby reducing the risk of cancerous formations. Dietary fibber is also known to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol binding acids in the colon.
6. Risk of inflammatory diseases :Copper, which is found in good proportions in French beans, is known to lower the risk of inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, joints and ligaments by enhancing the activity of the enzymes.
7. Age related macular diseases :French beans contain an important caroteniod called zeaxanthin. This compound is absorbed into the retinal macula in the eyes and provides antioxidant and light filtering functions. It is known to be helpful in preventing age related macular diseases.
8. Metabolism :The soluble fibber slows down the metabolism of carbohydrates which, in turn, regulates the blood sugar levels and prevents a sudden jump in blood sugar levels after meals. It is good for diabetic people, those with insulin resistance.
9. Folic acid :The folic acid present in French beans prevents the accumulation of an intermediary metabolite of protein metabolism, called homocysteine, which promotes the risk of atherosclerosis.
10. Important component :Potassium found in French beans is an important component of cell and body fluids that help control the heart rate and blood pressure.:
11. Good source of Molybdenum :French beans are a good source of Molybdenum that helps in detoxification of sulphites from the blood.

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