Curated by Maria Rita Insolera, Naturopath
Coral beans are legumes rich in water, fiber and mineral salts. They are a caloric food, but rich in nutrients and also contain a particular substance called inosite, with cardiotonic properties. Let's find out better.
Description of the coral beans
Coral beans, despite the name, are not beans but a variety of green beans . Beans and green beans belong to the same plant ( Phaseolus vulgaris ). The string bean, therefore, is nothing more than the immature harvested bean, when the pod is very thick and the seeds are absent or barely appeared.
They are legumes in all respects but atypical, because the edible part is not the seed, just mentioned, but the pod . This particular brings them closer to vegetables, both in general consideration (everyone considers them a vegetable), and in nutritional aspects (they are low-calorie ), and for the effects on digestion. Unlike beans and other legumes, green beans do not cause intestinal swelling and are much more digestible .
Green bean pods are generally green in color, but there are also yellow and violet. The taste remains more or less the same. Of turgid consistency and elongated shape, straight or curved, they have an intense color, green, yellow or violet depending on the variety.
Calories and nutritional values of coral beans
Coral beans contain less protein than other legumes, but have a very high amount of water (around 90%). They are rich in fiber (2.9 g), mineral salts (potassium in particular) and vitamin A. They also contain a fair amount of vitamin C.
100 grams of coral beans contain only 2.4 grams of carbohydrates, 2.1 g of protein and only 18 Kcal .
Coral beans, like cabbage, are among the foods rich in fiber
Properties and benefits of coral beans
Coral beans are rich in beneficial properties for the body and in particular are a good source of fiber, minerals and vitamins. Coral beans are a low-calorie food, but rich in nutrients and also contain a particular substance called unpleasant, with cardiotonic properties .
The injite is found in greater concentrations in its filaments, which, especially when they are very consistent, are removed before the vegetable is cooked. This type of bean is recommended for slimming diets, because they only provide 19 calories per 100 g of product.
Given the large amount of vitamins and minerals they contain, corall beans are useful when the body is fatigued, to recover from a long convalescence and as a tonic. Instead, vitamin C gives coral beans a protective action against viruses and bacteria.
Coral beans also have tonic and purifying properties for liver and pancreas. In fact, they are recommended against kidney stones and for purifying the kidneys . It is a good alternative to diuretics in cases of arterial hypertension or water retention.
Coral beans help to keep blood sugar levels in balance and are therefore useful for those suffering from diabetes.
How to use coral beans
The coral beans found on the market are both fresh and frozen. It is also possible to find them also in cans or in oil.
Fresh beans must be clean and without ends, before being cooked boiled or steamed and eaten seasoned to taste. The frozen ones, on the other hand, are usually ready to be cooked in boiling water or in a pan, while those in cans or in oil can be consumed when they are opened.
The green beans are well kept for a few days in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
