The Health Benefits of Lima Beans
Lima beans, also known as butter beans, are in the legume family. Many people enjoy the taste of lima beans when they are served in dishes such as succotash. However you are probably not aware of the many health benefits lima beans can offer your body.
Just like most other legumes, lima beans are a very good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. It is a known fact that bile acids presented in the intestines are required for the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. The primary action of these dietary fibers is to bind with the bile acids and slow down the metabolism of carbohydrates. This helps to lower the bodies LDL cholesterol level.
The soluble fiber in lima beans also makes them a perfect dish if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic. This soluble fiber absorbs the water from the intestines and creates a gel-like substance. This gel is what lowers the metabolism of the carbohydrates, and as a result, sugars are absorbed slowly from the intestine, which prevents the spike of blood glucose (blood sugar) after meals.
Lima beans are a good source of the mineral magnesium. Magnesium has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle. It may be helpful in relaxing the smooth muscle of the bronchioles (improving asthma) and the arterioles (lowering blood pressure). Magnesium decreases blood coagulation and acts as a calcium channel blocker; it helps the heart to pump more effectively.
Lima beans can also help to replenish your iron stores. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen to cells throughout the entire body. This is also a part of key enzyme systems for energy productions and metabolism.
Copper is essential in reducing your risk of inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Copper also promotes certain enzymatic actions as well. These actions are required to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, ligaments, and joints. Lima beans offer a high level of this trace mineral.
Lima beans also provide your body with folic acid, thereby helping to reduce the levels of homocysteine. This compound is an intermediate metabolite produced during the process of protein metabolism and is known to promote conditions like atherosclerosis, by interfering with the integrity of the blood vessel walls and the formation of collagen. Hence, regular intake of lima beans is important to prevent conditions like stroke, heart attack, and Peripheral Vascular Disease.
Lima beans are also a good source of protein and can provide your body with all eight of the essential amino acids that your body needs to be healthy.
These beans are an excellent source of natural antioxidants called anthocyanins.
Lima beans can offer your body many minerals that it needs to sustain a healthy life. They provide your body with vitamin B6, niacin, folate, protein- including amino acid and lysine, fibers, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Also, lima beans have very little fat.
Improve your health in many ways, just by adding more lima beans to your daily diet.
