Lima beans -Facts and benefits
About Lima Beans
Scientifically known as Phaselous Lunatus; lima beans belong to the fabaceae family. They are popularly also known as butter beans because of their texture. These beans have a very delicate flavour that goes well with every dish complementing and enhancing the taste of it. Even though they are difficult to find; lima beans can be found in canned packages in supermarkets ready for consumption. It is also commonly called as also commonly known as the butter bean, sieva bean, double bean, Madagascar bean, chad bean, or wax bean.
Lima Beans Nutrition Value
- Lima are rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and plant sterols.
- Lima beans are also a good source of Soluble Fiber.
- Lima beans are low in sodium.
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Lima Beans Benefits
- Lima beans are one of the excellent sources of minerals like molybdenum, iron, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium.
- Lima beans may reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
- Lower Your Heart Attack Risk.
Lima beans are legumes that rich in vital nutrients. One cup of lima beans consists of 216 calories and 1g of fat content. Lima beans are rich in cholesterol lowering fibre which helps in activating radicals in the blood and aids in lowering cholesterol. It also helps majorly in regulating the secretion of insulin from the pancreas thus keeping the blood sugar levels under control. Lima beans when paired with rice or other grains help in providing fat free protein benefiting the body. Legumes are the leading source of proteins and fibre one has ever known this fibre rich food are highly beneficiary to the body as it contains both soluble and insoluble fibre that aids in smooth metabolism and helps in preventing digestive disorders. People who eat legumes more often have lesser risk of falling prey to heart diseases; this is proven by many studies conducted on men from different age groups. The risk is lowered by the presence of magnesium and folate in lima beans. folate helps in lowering the levels of homocysteine an amino acid responsible to bring in the risk of heart attacks. Magnesium in lima beans plays a major role in enabling the blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the other vital parts of the body such as brain, heart and spinal cord. Lima bean houses iron in itself; containing 24% or required iron for daily intake, this food should be added to every aging adult and adolescents diet plan. Containing 15gms of protein lima beans are a rich source of this vital nutrient that the vegetarians miss on fish eggs and other meat.
Lima beans contain purines; a compound found and derived from plants. Increase in intake of purines will lead to accumulation of uric acid which is a by product of purines. Excessive accumulation will lead to the formation of a condition called gout in the kidney also known kidney stones. One needs to monitor their intake and take extra attention to double check on what is the required amount of lima bean needed by the body.
How To Enjoy Lima Beans
Lima beans are something that is recommended to not be eaten raw. One needs to boil them and cook them well in order to enjoy good taste and gain the nourishment.
Lima beans can be mashed and be added as a part of chilli, lima bean cold salads or lima bean burritos are something one can’t afford to miss on. Lima beans can be used to make bean soup or be used as a filling in sandwiches too.