Navy beans are an excellent source of low-fat, high quality protein. One cup of cooked navy beans provides 15 grams of protein! Most protein rich foods contain very high levels of fat (i.e. dairy & red meat). When we eat diets that contain a lot of foods high in fat, it can and will increase our own body fat. But Thank Allah, we have the little navy bean! The abundant protein in the navy bean provides us with the essential amino acids which are the "building blocks of our bodies". And for those of us who are vegetarians, this one nutrient that we have to make sure we have in our bodies!
- Navy beans are high in dietary fiber that helps prevent constipation and digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis (protrusions that cause the bowel muscles to rupture the bowel wall)
- Having a rich source of dietary fiber, folate and magnesium navy beans can lower the risk factor for heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (which causes plaque build-up in the arteries.)
- Navy beans are full of complex carbohydrates that aid in weight loss and give the brain muscles an excellent supply of energy!
- The navy beans helps balance blood sugar levels in the body, while providing steady, slow burning energy for people who have insulin resistance or hypoglycemia, which is abnormal low blood sugar levels.
- Navy beans are a good source of iron, yet low in calories and almost fat-free. This is a great benefit for nursing mothers, pregnant or menstruating women.
- The navy bean is a much better source of iron than read meat. The bean is virtually fat free and is low in calories. One cup of navy beans provides almost 25% percent of the daily value of iron. Iron is a very important mineral that is in all living cells. It helps our blood cells and muscles to carry. hold and release oxygen as needed in our bodies.
- They are high in thiamin (vitamin B1). This nutrient aids in the production of acetylcholine, which is essential for memory. Low levels of this nutrient can lead to age-related mental dysfunctions (senility) and Alzheimer's disease.
- The dietary fiber in navy beans helps to lower the blood cholesterol levels by attaching itself to the bile acids in the intestines, which are used in the production of cholesterol. Once this bile is excreted from the body, the fiber takes the bile acids along with it.
- The high dietary fiber content in just one cup of navy beans also slows digestion to stabilize blood sugar and helps keep us "regular". This high fiber content can also help to delay hunger by making us feel full. So, when our one meal a day consists of a delicious bowl of bean soup, we are giving our bodies all that we need in order to make it until our next meal. Dietary fiber is also known to balance hormones; If consumed regularly the high dietary fiber in navy beans can actually balance hormones to the exact required levels for based on your specific gender.
- The magnesium present in navy beans serves as "a calcium channel blocker" that works to prevent excess calcium from building up in cell membranes which can lead to vessel stiffness. This helps to lessen fatigue and relax tired muscles, nerves and blood vessels. This also helps to alleviate the symptoms related to asthma, migraine headaches, tension and soreness in muscles.
- One of the finest sources of copper, navy beans aid in reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis). They also promote the activity of enzymes that help to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, ligaments and joints.
- Navy beans are also rich in a number of nutrients that assist in the detoxification of the whole body. This detoxification helps to reduce the risk of various inflammatory, degenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
- Navy beans are cancer fighting beans. Michigan State University did a study and found that the navy bean significantly reduced color cancer incidence in rats. With cancers beginning to affect a higher percentage of people, what better way to ramp up our bodies' defenses than by consuming our daily bowl of navy beans.
- Navy beans contain saponins, a powerful phytonutrient and antioxidant that is known for its beneficial effects on cancer, blood cholesterol levels, stimulation of the immune system and bone health.
- The potassium and iodine in navy beans make it a natural source of protection from radiation.
- From very low sodium, to no cholesterol, and no saturated fats, the nutritional facts and benefits of the navy bean go on and on. These "little pearls", as Minister Farrakhan calls them, are packed with vitamins and minerals from A-Z. They have everything we need to keep our bodies, as well as our minds very strong and very healthy. This is just more proof that when we follow the instructions of Allah, Who came to us in The Person of Master Fard Muhammad, we will reap a very healthy reward.