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7 Benefits Of Navy Beans + How To Cook Them
Navy beans are known for their smooth texture. They are one among the 13,000 species of legumes and have a unique creamy white color. The benefits of navy beans can be attributed to their rich nutrition profile. The intake of navy beans may reduce heart disease risk, boost energy, improve memory, aid in diabetes treatment, and help with weight loss. This post discusses the many benefits of navy beans and how you can take advantage of them. Continue reading to know more.
In This Article
What Are Navy Beans? How Are They Good?
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As we saw, navy beans are legumes. And their name comes from the fact that they were a staple in the US Navy back in the 20th century. These beans have a low glycemic index (ranging from 27 to 40%), which is good news for diabetics.
Stylecraze Trivia Navy beans are also known as pea bean, white pea bean, Boston bean, haricot, and pearl haricot bean for their flattened oval shape.
Their nutrient profile makes them exceptionally good for health. Navy beans are replete with fiber and other nutrients like manganese and folate. They also contain protein, vitamin B1, magnesium, and copper. There are other ways these beans can be beneficial for you. Let’s take a look at them now.
What Are The Benefits Of Navy Beans?
1. Cut Heart Disease Risk
Studies show the intake of navy beans can elevate the levels of good HDL cholesterol (1). The folate in navy beans lowers homocysteine levels – high levels of which lead to heart disease. They are also rich in magnesium, which relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
The fiber in navy beans is another big deal – it lowers cholesterol levels and paves the way for a healthy heart.
2. Navy Beans Boost Energy
The folate in the beans can be a good source of energy (2). And the fiber, which is so abundant in the beans, helps in converting food into energy efficiently.
Related: How To Increase Stamina Naturally Through Food
3. Improve Memory
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The folate the beans contain contributes to brain health and memory in a great way. They also have vitamin B1, which plays a role in cognitive function. This vitamin is crucial for the synthesis of acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter. Deficiency of this neurotransmitter can lead to Alzheimer’s and age-related cognitive decline.
Deficiency of folate has also been linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Related: Top 10 Yoga Poses To Improve Your Memory
4. Aid Diabetes Treatment
Navy beans aid diabetes treatment in two ways. One, they have a low glycemic index. And two, the fiber in them helps lower blood sugar levels. The protein in fiber also helps in this regard – it keeps blood sugar levels in check and eliminates fatigue that plagues individuals with high blood sugar levels.
The fiber in the beans also keeps you satiated – which means you won’t be eating as much as you did before. This can mean less intake of carbohydrates and consequently less glucose in the bloodstream.
5. Navy Beans Can Aid Weight Loss
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Beans are low in calories and high in fiber, which is why they can be a great addition to a weight loss diet. The proteins and resistant starch they contain also help control appetite and discourage overeating – ultimately contributing to weight loss.
6. Helps In Bodybuilding
Navy beans are great sources of protein and fiber – two bodybuilding essentials. Fiber helps maintain a normal weight. It also maintains proper insulin response, which is important for muscle growth. Fiber also helps in the absorption of various nutrients that are often ingested by bodybuilders.
7. Can Improve Skin Health
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The copper in the beans acts as an antioxidant and boosts skin health. It fights free radicals that can otherwise cause signs of premature aging.
These are the major ways navy beans can make your life easier. Simply include them in your diet, and you will only thank yourself. And yes, talking about that – how do you cook navy beans?
Related: 20 Best Foods You Must Add To Your Diet For Healthy Skin
How To Cook Navy Beans
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If you are using canned beans, ensure they are properly rinsed and drained before use.
And if you are using dried beans, soak them before you use them in cooking. You can rinse the beans, cover them with an inch of cold water and let them soak at room temperature for an entire night. Drain and rinse before using.
Soaked beans usually cook for about 60 minutes. You can use three cups of water for each cup of uncooked beans. You may also season the beans to make them taste good – add bay leaves or garlic cloves or herb sprigs to the cooking water. You can also add a pinch of salt to the beans while cooking to enhance their flavor further.
We have one popular recipe for you. Let’s check it out!
Navy Bean Soup
What You Need
- 1 16-ounce pack of dried navy beans
- 6 cups of water
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 chopped celery stalks
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon of dried parsley
- ½ pound of chopped ham
- 1 cube of chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3 cups of water
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients, except for the salt and pepper, in a stockpot. Lower the heat and cover and simmer for about 2 hours.
- Now, add a little more water. Season with the salt and pepper and simmer for two more hours. You can discard the bay leaf.
You can also include navy beans in your evening salad.
StyleCraze Says You can cook Southwestern navy bean soup, pasta salad with navy beans and corn, navy bean skillet, and kale and navy bean pizza, among other delicious food items.
Navy beans are highly nutritious legumes and make for a healthy addition to your diet. Low in calories and high in fiber, proteins, and minerals, these are a good option to add to your weight loss diet or improve your cardiovascular health and overall immunity. With a low glycemic index, navy beans help regulate your blood sugar levels as well. Canned beans should be rinsed before use while the dry ones need to be soaked well before cooking to get the most of navy beans’ benefits. Soups, salads, or stews, navy beans make for a tasty and versatile addition to your diet.