Eating beans daily can improve your overall health by supporting digestion, heart health, and weight management.
Beans are packed with fiber and protein, which keep you full, aid digestion, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
To avoid digestive discomfort, gradually increase your bean intake and drink plenty of water to help fiber work effectively.
Whether you buy them canned or cook them from dried, no pantry is complete without beans. They’re gamechangers for plant-based recipes, and they can elevate your favorite meat dishes, too. Most importantly, beans are extremely healthy, thanks to their high content of essential nutrients. It might even be worth eating them daily (or almost daily). Why, exactly? We asked dietitians to explain how eating beans daily can affect your body and whether it’s a good idea for everyone.
Meet Our Expert
Jessica Zinn, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES, registered dietitian at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital
Stephanie Mitchell Urich, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and clinical instructor at the School of Health Sciences, Missouri State University
Related: 6 of the Best Beans to Eat, According to Nutritionists
What Happens When You Eat Beans
Registered dietitians explain the four main effects of eating beans.
Improved Digestion
With beans in your daily rotation, you’ll have no problem creating gut health recipes. “Beans are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which both aid in digestion,” says Jessica Zinn, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES, registered dietitian at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital. Soluble fiber helps nutrient absorption by slowing down digestion, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool. This can help prevent constipation and support bowel regularity, Zinn says. What’s more, the fiber in beans feeds beneficial gut bacteria. “As they digest the fiber, they produce compounds that support the GI tract and overall health,” says Stephanie Mitchell Urich, MS, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and clinical instructor at the School of Health Sciences, Missouri State University.
