Boost your nutrition and diet quality with beans! A new study shows that adults who consume more beans enjoy better weight outcomes, lower sugar intake, and increased essential nutrients. Study: Adult dietary patterns with increased bean consumption are associated with greater overall shortfall nutrient intakes, lower added sugar, improved weight-related outcomes and better diet quality. Image Credit: nadianb / Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in Nutrition Journal , researchers compare the differences in diet quality and nutrient intake between American adults who consume beans and those who do not. Adults who consume beans were found to have better diet quality and consume more essential nutrients, including 'shortfall' nutrients, which are often under-consumed, thus highlighting the importance of bean consumption for healthier diets. What are the health benefits of beans? Environmental sustainability and optimal nutrition are two important global issues, with policymakers and experts interested in improving access to adequate nutrition while limiting the carbon footprint of food.
Despite higher sodium intake among bean consumers, their significantly higher potassium levels may mitigate the negative impact on blood pressure. Legumes, including beans, have a low impact on the climate, improve soil fertility, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They are also nutrient-dense, with a 100-gram serving considered a rich source o.
