Your ever-favourite rajma has got amazing health benefits that are sure to take you by surprise

All you rajma lovers out there, this one's for you. It's time to celebrate this humble superfood for its many health benefits.
rajma benefits
From weight loss, diabetes to cholesterol, rajma can be great for multiple problems. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Team Health Shots Updated: 18 Feb 2020, 18:42 pm IST
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For many, rajma chawal is bae. Yes, a number of a people swear by the north Indian staple. A type of pulse, it is rich in nutrients and aids the body in keeping a number of diseases at bay.

From cooking it in a rich and luscious gravy, to being added to burritos, the versatile edible has an array of antioxidants and is a natural detoxifier.

Word of advice, soak the pulse for a good 12 hours before cooking it if you do not want to spend your lunch and dinner eating under-cooked beans.

Still wondering what kidney beans or rajma have in store for you? Well, here are five benefits of rajma that are sure to take you by surprise:

1. Helps promote weight loss
If you are feeling a bit heavy around the waist, kidney beans could be the perfect fodder for you. Observational studies have found that eating beans and other legumes four times per week lead to greater weight loss than consuming a bean-free diet.

Kidney beans being high in fibre and protein contribute to the beneficial effects towards weight loss.

Starch blockers that are found in white kidney beans even show potential as weight loss supplement, as shown by a study conducted by researchers from Berlin’s Practice for General Medicine.

2. Helps maintain blood sugar level
When properly prepared, kidney beans are effective at maintaining blood sugar levels as they are rich in protein, fiber, and slow-release carbs. Other than this, kidney beans have a low GI score thus resulting in low blood sugar rise after a meal.

Studies have indicated that eating beans or other low-glycemic foods may reduce a person’s risk of type-2 diabetes.

how to control diabetes
Rajma could also reduce your risk of type-2 diabetes. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Has a role to play in cancer prevention
Did you know kidney beans also promote colon health and reduce the risk of colon cancer? A study conducted by the University of Oslo found that higher intake of legumes like kidney beans was associated with a decreased risk of a number of cancers including upper aerodigestive tract, stomach, colorectum and kidney.

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4. Aids digestion
Kidney beans contain both soluble and insoluble fibres which help promote digestive health and bowel activity. However, one cannot overindulge as it may cause bloating, gas and flatulence.

5. Rich source of minerals
Rajma is rich in molybdenum, iron, copper, folate, manganese, potassium and Vitamin K1. Of these, iron aids in several important functions of the body, while Vitamin K1 is important for blood coagulation.

Copper along with iron allows the body to form red blood cells. Adequate copper in the diet may help prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

So, now you have all the more reasons to add rajma to your daily diet—what say?

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