Black beans have the scientific name of Phaseolus Vulgaris, as the name suggests black beans have a shiny black color. Black beans are very popular among vegetarians, usually combined with brown rice to get optimal benefits of healthy carbohydrates and complete protein.
Health benefits of black beans during pregnancy have a nutrient content that is generally still can be maintained even in the process of processing. However, if heated too long for example when cooked soup, nutritional content will be reduced. Nutritional content contained in black beans are
- high fiber
- protein
- vitamin A benefits
- iron
- calcium
- manganese like health benefits persimmon
- rich in flavonoid like health benefits of waterleaf
- anthocyanin
- omega-3 fatty acids
- folic acid
With so many essential nutrients in black beans, so many benefits are gained for human health. Particularly in this article the benefits for pregnant mothers. Among them are the following
- Maintain heart health
The heart of a pregnant mother works harder than a woman who is not pregnant. This is because of the needs of the body that must be blooded to be increased because of the fetus in the womb. Soluble fiber contained in black beans has the function of destroying cholesterol in the blood vessels so that the heart’s performance will be light in pumping blood.
- Good for digestion
The nutritional needs of pregnant women are so high that the problem of digestion becomes a serious problem because it can cause the fetus is not getting enough nutrition, the danger is the fetus is not developed and can experience death in the womb. Soluble fiber in black beans also serves to draw water and is converted into the gel during the digestion process, so that all the food in the digestive system will be absorbed very quickly.
- Reduced bad cholesterol
Black beans are very powerful to combat bad cholesterol. With the reduction of bad cholesterol in the blood will reduce the thickening of the vessel wall that will contribute in preventing the occurrence of stroke and heart attacks.
- Prevent cancer
The content of flavonoids and anthocyanin are abundant in black beans is a powerful antioxidant compound. Antioxidants are necessary to prevent the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are the cause of the emergence of cancer cells as well as tumors.
- Keeping blood sugar stable
In general, pregnant women are easy to get diabetes postpartum and even the baby they contain also has the same potential. One contributing factor is during pregnancy, women will be encouraged to consume lots of foods including sweet foods or those containing sugar. Black beans can be a natural remedy to keep your sugar levels throughout the pregnancy.
- Nutrition is important for fetal brain development
The content of folic acid and also omega-3 in black beans has been clinically tested to be an important nutrient in the development of fetal nerve tubes. This nerve tube is the embryo of the fetal brain. Adequate intake of folic acid can be very good for preventing the occurrence of brain disability during the fetal development process.
- Maintaining bone health
At the age of the old pregnancy, the needs of pregnant women will be strong bones are also very high. if malnutrition is usually the fetus will absorb the nutrients in the bones that result in bone loss. The content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other minerals in black beans is very good as bone nutrition.
- Lowering blood pressure
Black beans are known to be low in sodium but high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These three substances have been tested to lower blood pressure
- Maintain healthy skin
The problem of strechmark in pregnant women is often experienced. Consumption of foods high in vitamin E is very good for maintaining skin health. black beans can be an alternative because it also contains vitamin E.
- Strengthens endurance
The content of isoflavones in black beans has a function similar to the hormone estrogen in women. So it can strengthen the immune system if you consume black beans.
Caution
In addition to essential nutrients for the body, health benefits of black beans during pregnancy also contain compounds that actually adversely affect health. One is the oligosaccharide. This substance is a complex sugar that is difficult to digest. Our bodies do not produce certain enzymes that can digest this substance. So that the oligosaccharide will be fermented into gas, which then if the gas is already in the high limit will cause flatulence or feel bloated. The way to get rid of this substance on black beans is by soaking it before it is processed.