Smoothy Slim
Smoothy Slim
Photo: Karolina Grabowska
Thus, while eating small amounts of raw green beans may be safe, it's best to avoid them to prevent any potential toxicity. Raw green beans contain lectins, which may trigger symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or bloating. As such, you shouldn't eat them raw.
When you drink a cup of coffee, it stimulates your body to release the hormones gastrin and cholecystokinin. Both gastrin and cholecystokinin...
Read More »
The hours between 1am and 3am are governed by the liver meridian. Emotionally it is associated with anger and physically associated with your...
Read More »
This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »Green beans — also known as string beans, snap beans, French beans, emotes, or haricots verts — are a thin, crunchy veggie with small seeds inside a pod. They’re common on salads or in dishes of their own, and some people even eat them raw. Yet, because they’re technically legumes, some people worry that they contain antinutrients that may be toxic if eaten raw — while others claim that raw green beans are healthier since cooking them leads to nutrient loss. This article explains whether you can eat green beans raw. Share on Pinterest Why you should avoid raw green beans Like most beans, raw green beans contain lectins, a protein that works as an antifungal and natural insecticide for plants ( 1 ). Yet, if you eat them, lectins are resistant to digestive enzymes. Thus, they bind to the surface of cells in your digestive system, causing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating if consumed in high amounts ( 2 ). They may also damage your gut cells and affect your gut’s friendly bacteria. Furthermore, they interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption, which is why they’re known as antinutrients ( 3 ). Certain beans pack higher amounts of lectin than others, meaning that some may be mostly safe to eat raw ( 1 ). Still, research suggests that raw green beans harbor 4.8–1,100 mg of lectin per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of seeds. This means that they range from relatively low in lectins to exceptionally high ( 1 , 4 ). Thus, while eating small amounts of raw green beans may be safe, it’s best to avoid them to prevent any potential toxicity. Summary Raw green beans contain lectins, which may trigger symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or bloating. As such, you shouldn’t eat them raw. Benefits of cooking green beans Some people claim that cooking green beans leads to nutrient loss. Indeed, cooking may reduce their contents of some water-soluble vitamins, such as folate and vitamin C, which help prevent birth abnormalities and cellular damage, respectively (5, 6 , 7 ). However, cooking offers several benefits, such as improved taste, digestibility, and increased bioavailability of various beneficial plant compounds. Furthermore, most of the lectins in raw green beans are inactivated when boiled or cooked at 212°F (100°C) ( 2 ). Research shows that cooking green beans may increase antioxidant content — particularly levels of powerful carotenoids like beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin ( 8 , 9 ). Antioxidants protect your cells from unstable molecules called free radicals, high levels of which may increase your risk of disease ( 10 ). Additionally, cooking may boost the bioavailability of green beans’ isoflavone content. These compounds are linked to multiple health benefits, including protection against heart disease and a lower risk of certain cancers ( 11 , 12 , 13 ). Overall, the benefits of cooking this veggie likely outweigh the downsides. Summary Cooking green beans may reduce the content of certain vitamins, but it increases their levels of antioxidants like carotenoids and isoflavones. Notably, cooking also inactivates harmful lectins. How to prepare green beans Green beans are available in many forms, including fresh, canned, and frozen. You can prepare them in multiple ways. As a general rule, it’s best to rinse them before cooking, but there’s no need to soak them overnight. You may also want to trim the tips to remove hard ends. Here are three basic, easy ways to cook green beans: Boiled. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the green beans and simmer them for 4 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper before serving.
The foods to avoid: Overprocessed foods, especially white flour and sugar. Artificial sweeteners. Sugary beverages, such as soda and juice....
Read More »
Cucumber water has many potential health benefits, including hydration, weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and skin health. It is easy to make...
Read More »
Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.
Learn More »Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the green beans and simmer them for 4 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper before serving. Steamed. Fill a pot with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water and place a steamer basket on top. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Place the beans in and lower the heat. Cook covered for 2 minutes. Fill a pot with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water and place a steamer basket on top. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Place the beans in and lower the heat. Cook covered for 2 minutes. Microwaved. Place the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 3 minutes and test for doneness before serving. Be careful with the hot steam when removing the plastic. They’re great on their own, tossed into salad, or added to soups, stews, and casseroles. Summary Boiling, steaming, and microwaving are great ways to cook green beans in under 5 minutes. Eat them on their own or in salads or stews.
Skin peeling is expected after fractional laser treatments. This is the old superficial layer of skin peeling off to reveal the fresh new skin...
Read More »
5 A Day in juices and smoothies Unsweetened 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies can only ever count as a maximum of 1 portion of your 5...
Read More »
This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »
11 Foods to Avoid When Trying to Lose Weight The foods you eat can have a major effect on your weight. ... French Fries and Potato Chips. ......
Read More »
This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »
Tips to ease bloating Stay hydrated. Sipping water before, during, and after meals can help reduce bloating by flushing excess sodium, which can...
Read More »