Rich in protein and minerals, kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are delicious energy boosters and nutritious pulses. They are dry and heavy to digest. They increase Vata. Kidney beans contain nutrients like calcium, manganese, phosphorous, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin K, B, C, etc. They are high in fibre. Kidney beans are used in the preparation of kidney bean sabji and kidney bean soup.

Kidney beans are found in three colours: white, red and black and are found in different shapes.

The benefits of eating kidney beans!

(1) Keeps the body’s sugar content balanced. So helps in diabetes.

(2) Helps in fat control and thereby helps in obesity.

(3) Strengthens the bones.

(4) Beneficial to the eyes, hair and muscles.

(5) Increases the nutritive value of the milk of lactating mothers.

(6) Pregnant women who consume kidney beans do not suffer from a deficiency of folic acid (Vitamin B9) which helps in proper development of the fetus.

(7) Lowers cholesterol and thereby helps in controlling hypertension.

To take maximum benefit of Kidney Beans

To make kidney beans delicious, people add gravy prepared from oil in excessive quantity and garam masala (a mixture of spices), onions, etc. This reduces the beneficial qualities of kidney beans and damages health. To take maximum benefit of kidney beans, soak it in hot water overnight. In the morning, boil until they become soft and then add ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, asafetida, turmeric, chili and coriander and prepare sabji with juice so that they become easy to digest.

Precautions:

* Overeating kidney beans causes flatulence, stomach pain, constipation, vomiting and muscle related problems.

* Kidney beans are heavy to digest. Hence do not eat continuously. Eat with the morning meal but not the evening meal.

* Kidney beans should not be consumed by one whose digestion is poor or who is ill, especially with joint pains, gout, etc., and should not be consumed in the rainy season.