A bean-rich diet helps lower cholesterol, study shows
Eating beans regularly can help improve health. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering ability, they are loaded with protein and other nutrients, and are fiber-rich. Credit: iStock
As you're thinking about your Thanksgiving menu, here's one nontraditional holiday food that could make a healthy side dish to go with the stuffing and sweet potato pies: beans.
A Canadian study found that regularly adding beans to your diet can lower LDL cholesterol by 5 percent. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol that is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers recommended adding 3/4 cup of beans daily. Among the beans esearchers said can lower LDL cholesterol are navy, white, red, black and kidney. Chickpeas and lentils had a similar beneficial effect.
In addition to their cholesterol-lowering ability, beans are loaded with protein and other nutrients. They also contain fiber. While beans are fairly inexpensive, Americans don't eat as much of the legumes as the rest of the world. A separate study found that fewer than 10 percent of Americans eat beans on any given day.
