Honey beans are a kind of brown beans from Nigeria. The name comes from the uniquely sweet taste of the bean. In Nigeria, people call it Oloyin. They usually use the beans into any kinds of cooking. They use it for soup, pudding, salad mixture, or a side dish for some staple food like bread, rice, and cassava.
The most important thing is that they never consume it raw. The brown beans are known to contain gas which are able to cause bloating and the other digestive problem if we consume the raw beans. Therefore, people usually soak the beans for at least 3 hours to remove the gas before cook it.
Nutritional information of honey beans
From the fact that honey beans are one of the most favorite Nigerian daily menus, it is obvious that beans have its beneficial value. Despite its unique honey like taste, it must contain some nutritional values. Based on food nutrition table, in every 100 grams boiled beans contains:
- Energy 110 kcal
- Water 63.7 gr
- Protein 7.6 gr
- Carbohydrate 18.1 gr
- Fat 0.7 gr
- Saturated 0.1 gr
- Monounsaturated 0.1 gr
- Polyunsaturated 0.4 gr
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg
- Fibers 8.9 g
- Vit B11 40 µg
- Vit C 0.1 mg
- Sodium 1 mg
- Potassium 450 mg
- Calcium 35.0 mg
- Phosphor 150.0 mg
- Iron 2.0 mg
- Magnesium 20.0 mg
- Copper 0.30 mg
- Zinc 1.00 mg
The other nutrients found in a very little concentration are sugar, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
From the nutritional information, it are no hyped that honey beans are beneficial for our health. The health benefits of honey beans are listed as follow.
- Promote weight loss
The dietary fiber in honey beans gives a great sense of satiety. Therefore, just little amount of honey beans are able to make us feel full a little longer. In addition, it is a perfect food for weight loss diets, since it contains low fat yet high protein.
High protein intake is very good to eliminate the fat accumulation, and add the healthy muscle mass. Further, it are carbohydrate with a low glycemic index which are unable to quickly digested, yet gives suitable energy for sustainable weight loss.
- Prevent digestive problems
Besides promotes the weight loss, the dietary fiber from these brown beans also contributes big role in healthy digestive system. It maintains good bowel movement, so that it is able to prevent any digestive problems such as constipation and the other bowel disease. The other kind of beans which is helpful for digestion is Petai beans. Here are the  Health Benefits of Petai BeansÂ
- Prevents malnutrition
The beans are originally found in Africa. We know that some countries in Africa are still in fight against malnutrition. Despite its nutrition values such as carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, and minerals, these beans are reachable for most of African.
Therefore, it is very suitable to cure malnutrition in poor families. In addition, it is also good for pregnant women, since they need nutrition for the baby. Besides honey beans, mung beans are also good for baby as included in Health Benefits of Mung Beans for BabiesÂ
- Maintain healthy nervous system
The Nigerian sweet beans contain some beneficial nutrients for your healthy nervous system. They are iron, vitamin B6 and B12, and also potassium. Isn’t it simple to maintain good nervous system? The other simple thing you can do to maintain healthy nervous system is cooking using coconut oil. Here are the Health Benefits of Using Coconut Oil for Cooking
- Regulate blood pressure
The high level of potassium in honey beans is able to keep the good condition of heart. It is able to regulate blood circulation and avoid the high blood pressure. Therefore, it will also able to avoid heart disease such as coronary heart and strokes.
- Good for diabetics
Diabetics are commonly very strict about carbohydrate. It are because carbohydrate are an essential need for everybody, yet it are usually contains sugar. We know that diabetics can really consume sugar.
Therefore, this type of Nigerian brown beans is very suitable for diabetics. It able to provide energy for diabetics yet contains a very low sugar level. In the other word, it fulfill the need of energy without worsen the blood sugar level.
- Fasten cell regeneration
Just like the other beans such as Health Benefits of Flageolet Beans , beans are rich with protein. The protein in honey beans is very good to repair damaged cell.
Moreover, beans also contain folate which is able to quickly produce new body cell. Â In addition, it contains potassium for proper cell function. Therefore, it will also able to inhibit the development of cancer cell.
- Protect from cancer
Honey beans also contain nutrients which are able to activate hormone phytoestrogents. The hormone includes isovlavone which are believed to be able inhibiting harmful chemical in food. The harmful chemical from food is the main culprit of cancer cell formation.
Therefore, the honey beans are also powerful to block cancer, especially breast cancer. The other natural ingredient which is beneficial for cancer is Pomegranate. Here are the Benefits of Pomegranate for Cancer.
- Good for bones
Bones need some nutrients to keep its health. The nutrients also found in honey beans. They are vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. The beans contain relatively high level of the mentioned nutrients. Besides good to keep the strong bones, they are also beneficial for teeth. Indeed, there are many health benefits of honey beans.
- Lower cholesterol
Honey beans can be a perfect choice for those in cholesterol diet. Besides all the beneficial nutrients in beans, it contains very low cholesterol. It means that beans are able to stabilize the cholesterol level.
Cautions in consuming honey beans
Honey beans, just like the other kinds of beans are hated for its uncomfortable side effect for the digestion. Well, it is indeed able to improve the bowel movement for its dietary fiber. However, to much fiber, or an immediate large consumption of it may create digestive problems. The problems may vary from bloating, stomachache, or diarrhea. Although it is mentioned that honey beans are able to help relieve constipation, it can create the contrary effect. Well, consuming beans with not enough water intakes will create constipation.
Recommendation in consuming honey beans
In order to avoid the side effect, it is highly recommended to soak the beans for 3 – 6 six hours. Boil the beans will also minimize the side effect from the high fiber in it. A foundation of beans research also recommends consuming no more than ½ cup of beans per day. The amount of consumption should also be moderate. Therefore, it is safe for you to consume your favorite honey beans stew, pudding, and soup.