Good for the heart

“If dried beans aren’t a regular part of your diet, you’re missing out on one of nature’s truly perfect foods. They supply abundant complex carbohydrates and are also a rich source of protein–in fact, beans contain a higher proportion of protein than any other plant food. Although the protein is incomplete, it can easily be complemented by serving the beans with rice or other grains, nuts (or, for non-vegetarians, a small amount of animal protein, such as chicken, fish, cheese, or yogurt) that supply the missing amino acids.

Beans are the plant kingdom’s second-best source of dietary fiber (wheat bran is number one), and half of that is soluble fiber. Beans are also an excellent source of folate (folic acid), with adzuki beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and pinto beans the leading choices for this important B vitamin.

In addition, most beans supply substantial amounts of iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and thiamin. Add to this the fact that beans are both inexpensive and versatile, and you have a nutritional and culinary combination that’s hard to beat.”