Bean Research and Nutrition

And, there's more good news about beans…! A multitude of research studies continues to reveal that the natural ingredients and nutrients in beans can help reduce risks for certain chronic diseases. Whether you are a consumer, health professional, or are just interested in learning more about beans, browse through our research and nutrition pages to learn the latest and greatest news about beans.

Bean History

• Beans came over from the Mayflower

Bean Production

• Worldwide dry bean production, 1995-2004

• U.S. Dry bean production, 2000-2004

Bean Nutrition

• Bean photo dictionary

• Are beans a fruit, vegetable or main dish?

• Nutritional value of beans

• Beans, powerful nutrition

Why Eat Beans?

• Comprehensive scientific report from Michigan State University: Eat Beans to Improve Your Health

• Revisiting the magical world of beans

• Diet & Exercise: A shortcut to health

• Beans classified as a feel-good food

• Beans are versatile, good for you and back in style

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Beans are an Important Part of a Healthy Diet

• Research shows that legumes are most important dietary predictor in survival of older people

• Greek Study: Legumes, Mediterranean-style Diet Reduce Cardiovascular Risks

• Effects of Old-age Diet Long-lasting

• Beans Considered One of Top "Superfoods"

• Mayo Clinic Recommends Beans, Other Legumes

• Colorado Dietetic Association newsletter updates members on research linking bean consumption to longevity.

• Beans are a nutritious weapon in a dieter's arsenal

Food Security and Hunger Prevention

• Overview of USDA worldwide food aid programs: Economic Research Service, USDA.

• Comprehensive guide to food security and policy information for African countries

• Healthy food doesn't have to be pricey

• Position of the American Dietetic Association: Addressing world hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity

Beans Can Help Lower Risks of Type 2 Diabetes

• Cereal grains, legumes and diabetes

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Beans Provide “Good For You” Carbs

• USA Today: Beans are good carbs

• Carbs are not the enemy–legumes provide healthy carbs

• Baked beans-the perfect picnic side dish

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Beans and Glycemic Load

• What is glycemic load?

• Just eat your vegetables

• Glycemic index on the radar screen

• New data provides support for the low-glycemic diet

• Low-glycemic diet may help keep weight off

• More good news for the low-glycemic diet

• Check to see how beans register on the glycemic index and compare glycemic scores for your other favorite foods

• Low-glycemic diet and effects during weight loss

• Committee formed to develop a definition of glycemic carbohydrates

• Better cognitive performance with a low-glycemic diet

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Beans Are a Gluten-Free Food and An Alternative to Those with Celiac Disease

• What is Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance and how can beans help

• Nutritional considerations of celiac disease

• Folate, iron, and dietary fiber contents of the gluten-free diet

• More about celiac disease

• Gluten-free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Shelley Case, BHA member and registered dietitian

• Savory Palate, Inc.

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Beans Are Good for Your Heart

• JAMA: Fiber in foods such as beans may reduce risk of coronary heart disease

• Eat more fiber for your heart

• Foods rich in folate may reduce risk of stroke

• New ways to reduce cholesterol levels

• High folate may reduce risk of hypertension in women

• Associations Between Protein Type and Blood Pressure

• Vegetable Protein and Fiber Associated with a Reduced Risk of Hypertension

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Eating Beans May Help Lower Cancer Risks

• Cancer survivors may benefit from nutrition plan

• Largest USDA study of food antioxidants feveals best source

• Beans against cancer

• Latest USDA research reveals beans among highest antioxidant-containing foods

• Diet lowers cancer risk

• Dry bean consumption reduces risk of colon cancer

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Beans and Their Role in HIV/AIDS

• Malnutrition and HIV: A vicious disease cycle

• WHO “Changing History” 2004 report news release: Unprecedented opportunity to fight HIV/AIDS and change the course of history

• The World Health Report 2004 - "Changing History"

• HIV/AIDS fact sheet

• Position of the American Dietetic Association & Dietitians of Canada: Nutrition intervention in the care of persons with HIV infection

HIV/ AIDS in Africa

• Women are key to reversing AIDS epidemic

• Hunger, AIDS fuel each other in Africa

• When farmers get AIDS, everyone starves

• Program gives African children a safe haven

• Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview

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Ongoing Bean Research

• Bean industry will fund major studies to further determine beans’ roles in reducing risks of devastating global diseases – diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, even HIV/AIDS

• Current BHA research projects

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The BHA's Comprehensive Research Bibliography: Hundreds of bean research articles at your fingertips

Food Science Properties of Beans

• Antifungal Properties
• Biological Storage
• Composite Flours
• Extrusion
• Food Science Properties
• Germination
• Hard-to-Cook
• Precooked Flakes
• Processing
• Storage
• Structure
• Texture

Bean Nutrition and Health Benefits

• Antioxidants
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Consumption Trends
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Longevity
• Nutrient Availability
• Review Articles