Kidney Beans – we’re all familiar with them. Whether it’s rice and beans, chili, or Kidney bean soup, this particular bean is ingrained into most of modern America’s dining culture. We just love to have it – and who wouldn’t? Kidney Beans are healthy, affordable, and easy to find.

Now, as far as the fast metabolism diet is concerned, kidney beans are a great source of vegetable protein for Phase 1. In today’s article, we’ll be talking about the health benefits of the legume, and why it’s a favorite on the list of FMD-approved food items.

WHAT IS THE KIDNEY BEAN?

The kidney bean is a legume, specifically a type of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), that’s native to Central American regions, as well as in Mexico. It’s also being grown in regions in India and Southeast Asia, expanding the legume’s exposure in cultural cuisines.

Kidney beans come in a variety of colors, such as black, cream, purple, and red. Certain varieties also have unique patterns that make them easier to identify, such as mottling, striping, and spotting. By far the most popular types are the cream-colored and red-colored variants, though the black-colored variant is not too far off from the first two.

An interesting fact about the kidney bean is that, when raw, it’s incredibly toxic; if consumed raw in great amounts, it can even be fatal. However, when the legume is well-cooked and safely prepared, the cooking process neutralizes its toxic properties and makes it edible, leading to the fun and tasty dishes we all know and love.

LET’S TALK NUTRIENTS

Kidney beans are a well-known meat alternative because of its high natural content of protein. There are other nutrients found in the legume that are worth noting too, though, and we’re listing them below.

One of the key nutrients found in kidney beans is molybdenum – a mineral that is commonly found in legumes, and which is found in pretty hefty amounts in kidney beans specifically.

Molybdenum is an essential nutrient that activates a number of essential enzymes our body needs for filtering out toxins in the body. We only need a small amount of the nutrient, but it is possible to develop a deficiency for molybdenum, which is why eating legumes (or grains and seeds with the nutrient) is important for a healthy and well-rounded diet.

The enzymes that molybdenum helps generate are the following: aldehyde oxidase (which breaks down alcohol particles as well as nutrient waste from pharmaceutical products, like painkillers), sulfite oxidase (which converts sulfite, a harmful toxin, to sulfate, which can pass through the body without harming it), xanthine oxidase (which converts xanthine, another harmful toxin, into uric acid, as well as breaking down “unneeded” nucleotides for waste processing), and the mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component or mARC, which has been linked with effective filtering of nutrient waste produced through metabolism.

On top of molybdenum, kidney beans also have high levels of copper, folate, iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamine K1, all nutrients we need for bone growth and development and blood cell repair.

SUMMING IT UP

The kidney bean is a meaty little legume that’s filled with some pretty important nutrients we need to stay healthy and fit. Whether you’re planning on getting your serving fresh from the farmer’s market, or through canned produce via food stores, kidney beans are sure to fill you up while also nourishing you with much-needed vitamins and minerals.

Do you have a favorite kidney bean recipe that you’ve been enjoying during the COVID-19 quarantine? Let us know in the comments!

The post Are You Kidney Me: Are Kidney Beans Good for You? appeared first on The Fast Metabolism Diet Community.