Kidney Bean – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes

The kidney bean is a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). It is named for its visual resemblance in shape and – for the red variety color to a human kidney. Red kidney beans should not be confused with other red beans, such as adzuki beans or pinto beans.

Red kidney beans are commonly used in chili con carne and are used in the cuisine of India, where the beans are known as rajma. Red kidney beans are used in southern Louisiana for the classic Monday Creole dish of red beans and rice. The smaller, darker red beans are also used, particularly in Louisiana families with a recent Caribbean heritage. Small kidney beans used in La Rioja, Spain, are called caparrones. In the Netherlands and Indonesia, kidney beans are usually served as soup called brenebon.[rx] In the Levant, a common dish consisting of kidney bean stew usually served with rice is known as fasoulia. To make bean paste, kidney beans are generally prepared from dried beans and boiling until they are soft, at which point the dark red beans are pulverized into a dry paste.

Red kidney beans contain relatively high amounts of phytohemagglutinin, and thus are more toxic than most other bean varieties if not pre-soaked and subsequently heated to the boiling point for at least 10 minutes. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends boiling for 30 minutes to ensure they reach a sufficient temperature long enough to completely destroy the toxin.[rx] Cooking at the lower temperature of 80 °C (176 °F), such as in a slow cooker, can increase this danger and raise the toxin concentration up to fivefold.[rx] Canned red kidney beans, though, are safe to eat straight from the can, as they are cooked prior to being shipped. As few as five raw beans or a single undercooked kidney bean can cause severe nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pains.[rx][rx][rx]

Classification

There are different classifications of kidney beans, such as:

  • Red kidney bean (also known as common kidney bean, rajma in India, search (red) labia in Pakistan).
  • Lightly speckled kidney bean (and long shape light speckled kidney bean).
  • Red speckled kidney bean (and long shape light speckled kidney bean).
  • White kidney bean (also known as cannellini in Italy, lobia in India, or afraid (white) labia in Pakistan).
Kidney Bean Quick Facts
Name: Kidney Bean
Scientific Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Origin Originated in the Americas
Colors Red, black, white, brown, pink, mottled or variegated in 2 colors
Shapes Rounded kidney-shaped, ellipsoid or oblong and 2 cm long.
Flesh colors Cream-colored
Taste Mild flavor
Calories 33 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients Vitamin C (39.56%)
Vitamin B1 (30.17%)
Vitamin B2 (21.00%)
Copper(19.33%)
Vitamin B3 (18.90%)
Health benefits Curing Cataracts (Eye Disorder), Antioxidants & Anti-aging Properties, Bone Strength, Alzheimer’s disease, Treatment of the Common Cold, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Relieves Fatigue, Cures Acne, Cardiovascular Benefits, Beneficial for digestive health

Kidney Bean Facts

The kidney bean is 8–20 cm long by 1–2.5 cm wide, a linear-oblong legume which is green, yellow, black, purple, pink, white-pink mottled color. It can be found growing in organic-rich, well-drained soils. It is a nutrients dense vegetable that is mainly used for vegetables.

Name Kidney bean
Scientific Name Phaseolus vulgaris
Native originated in the Americas
Common/English Name Bush Bean, Haricot Bean, Runner Bean, Dry Bean, Dwarf Bean, Fresh Bean, French Bean, Green Bean, String Bean, Wax Bean, Navy Bean, Pea Bean, Common Bean
Name in Other Languages Angola : Otchipoke ( Umubumbu )
Columbia : Alubia, Fríjol, Frísol;
Estonian : Harilik Aeduba, Turgi Uba
Armenian : Lobi Sovorakan
India : Bakla, Biins, Rajmah ( Hindu ), Binns
Ecuador : Fréjol, Vainita
Chinese: Bai Fan Dou, Ban Wen Dou, Cai Dou
Chuvash: Shalsa Parsi
Argentina : Chicharo, Chaucha, Poroto
Democratic Republic of Congo: Cishimbo ( Shi )
Finnish : Salkopapu, Tarhapapu, Torapapu
Thai : Thua Khaek, Thua Phum
Hungarian : Bab, Paszuly, Veteménybab
Georgian: Lobio
Spanish : Alubia, Alubias, Bajoca, Caraotas
French : Haricot Commun, Haricot Grimpant
Bolivia : Chicharo, Judía, Judía Común, Frejol
Gabon : Modjangi, Maliko ( Apindji ), Butsangi ( Baduma)
Ukranian : Kvasolya Zvichaina
Cuba: Frijol
Czech : Fazol Obecný, Fazole Zahradní
Dutch : Boon, Bruine Boon, Gewone Boon
Azerbaijan: Adi Libya
Hawaian : Bakla, Loba, Lobia, Rajmah
Korean : Gang Nang K’ong
Burmese : Bo Sa Pè, Hto Pe Ton, Mete Beir
Nepali: Dolo Simi
Moldavian : Fasole Urketoare
Malaysia : Kacang Buncis, Kacang Merah
Peru : Chicharo, Judía, Judía Común, Frejol
Vietnamese: Ðậu Ve
El Salvador: Frijol
German : Bohne, Fisole, Garten-Bohne
Dominican Republic : Habichuela
Japanese : Ingen Mame, Sasage
Panama : Chicharo, Frijol, Poroto
Guatemala: Frijol
Portuguese : Feijão, Feijăo-De-Trepar, Feijão- Vagem
Lithuanian: Darzines Pupils
Danish : Almindelig Břnne, Bønne, Buskbřnne
Swiss : Bruna Bonor, Storbona
Norwegian: Hagebønne
Turkish: Fasulye
Pakistan : Loba Fasoulia
Nicaragua: Frijol
Chile : Chicharo, Judía, Judía Común, Frejol
Greek : Fasiolos Koinos, Fasolaki Anarihetiko
Honduras: Frijol
Indonesia : Boncis, Buncis
Brazil : Feijão, Feijão–Vagem, Feijoeiro
Mexico: Ejote, Frijol
Swedish : Böna, Stĺngböna, Störböna
Russian : Fasol’ Obyknovennaia
Paraguay: Habilla
Uruguay : Chicharo, Poroto
Italian : Fagiolo, Fagiuolo Commune, Fagiolo Da Sgranare
Costa Rica: Frijol
Kampuchean : Sândaèk Barang
Laos : Mak Thaoua Khek, Mak Thaoua Frang
Uzbek: Lovisa
Slovašcina : Fižol Navadni, Navadni Fižol
Puerto Rico: Habicuel
Swahili: Mharagwe
Latvian : Parastas Pupinas
Mong : Chichees Buurtzag, Egel Shosh
Mali: Nii
Polish : Fasola Zwyczajna, Fasola Zwykła, Feijao
Slovencina : Fazuľa Obyčajná, Fazua Záhradná
Belarusan: Fasolya Zvychainaya, Khvasolya
Taiwan: Pan Wen Tou
Uganda : Mattu Wanyambi ( Bugisu ), Ngaingai
Venezuela: Carlota
Plant Growth Habit Annual, climbing or sub-erect herbaceous bush
Growing Climate Tolerate most environmental conditions in tropical and temperate zones.
Soil Medium-textured, organic-rich, well-drained soils over 0.5 m deep. It is intolerant of high soil acidity and the associated aluminum and manganese toxicities.
Plant Size 3 metres long
Root Well-developed taproot with many lateral roots.
Stem 2–3 m long pubescent stem, glabrescent when old
Leaf Trifoliolate, alternate on 4–9 cm long petiole
Leaflets 4–16 cm long, 2.5–11 cm broadly ovate to ovate-rhombic, acuminate, apex, rounded to broadly cuneate base
Flowering Season July to September
Flower Papilionaceous, bisexual. Corolla white, yellow, purple or pale pink, standard 9–12 mm long and glabrous,
Pod shape & size 8–20 cm long by 1–2.5 cm wide, linear-oblong legume,
Pod color purple, green, pink, yellow, black, white-pink mottled in color
Seed shape & size 4–10 rounded kidney-shaped, ellipsoid or oblong and 2 cm long.
Seed Color White, brown, pink, red, black, mottled or variegated in 2 colors
Flavor/aroma Mild flavor
Skin Color Dark red skin
Flesh Color Cream-colored flesh
Varieties/Types Red kidney beans, Kashmiri kidney beans,  Chitra kidney beans
Major Nutrition Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 35.6 mg 39.56%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.362 mg 30.17%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.273 mg 21.00%
Copper, Cu 0.174 mg 19.33%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 3.024 mg 18.90%
Total Dietary Fiber 6.40g 16.84%
Isoleucine 0.214 g 12.80%
Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) 47 µg 11.75%
Valine 0.248 g 11.74%
Threonine 0.203 g 11.53%
Tryptophan 0.05 g 11.36%
Iron, Fe 0.89 mg 11.13%
Histidine 0.135 g 10.96%
Health Benefits
  • Curing Cataracts (Eye Disorder)
  • Antioxidants & Anti-aging Properties
  • Bone Strength
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Treatment of the Common Cold
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Relieves Fatigue
  • Cures Acne
  • Cardiovascular Benefits
  • Beneficial for digestive health
Calories in 1cup (145gm) 33 Kcal

Phaseolus vulgaris, kidney bean, green bean, or common bean, is an annual, climbing, or sub-erect herbaceous bush in the Fabaceae (legume or bean family) in the genus Phaseolus L, that originated in Central and South America and is currently grown in many parts of the world for its beans, that can be harvested and consumed immature, still in the edible pod, or when mature, shelled and dried. Kashmiri kidney beans, Red kidney beans, and Chitra kidney beans are some popular varieties of Kidney beans. It is often considered the ‘meat of the poor and forms the main protein source for individuals in many countries even though it is also common with wealthier consumers. Apart from its mild flavor, it is loaded with important essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

Plant

A kidney bean is an annual, climbing, or sub-erect herbaceous bush growing 3 meters long. It is found growing in tropical and temperate zones. It prefers medium-textured, well-drained, organic-rich soils over 0.5 m deep. It cannot tolerate high soil acidity and the related aluminum and manganese toxicities. It has a well-developed taproot along with many lateral roots. It has 2–3 m long pubescent stem, turns glabrescent when old. The leaf is trifoliolate, alternate on 4–9 cm long petiole. Leaflets are 4–16 cm long, 2.5–11 cm broadly ovate to ovate-rhombic, acuminate, and apex, rounded to broadly cuneate base. The flower is papilionaceous, bisexual. Corolla is white, purple, yellow or pale pink, standard 9–12 mm long, and glabrous. It is found blooming from July to September.

Fruit

Kidney beans are 8–20 cm long by 1–2.5 cm wide, linear-oblong legume, black, green, purple, yellow, pink, white-pink spotted in color, slightly curved to broadly undulating, turgid, glabrous, and beaked. One Kidney bean consists of 4–10 rounded kidney-shaped, ellipsoid or oblong and 2 cm long seeds which are pink, black, white, brown, red, spotted, or variegated in 2 colors. A seed normally has dark red skin and has cream-colored flesh. It has a mild flavor which is mostly suitable for soups, vegetables, and many more. Beans are used for burns, dysentery, acne, bladder, diabetes, cardiac, carminative, dropsy, depurative, diuretic, diarrhea, and many other problems.

History

Kidney bean is usually supposed to have originated in the Americas, with two centers of domestication. The small seed varieties were proposed to have been domesticated from small-seeded wild types in Central America and the large-seeded varieties from large-seeded types in the Andean region of South America. Spaniards and Portuguese have taken to Europe, later they also took them to Africa and other parts of the Old World. Currently, they are broadly grown in the tropics, subtropics, and temperate regions. They are less identified in India, where other pulses are favored.

Nutritional Value

Apart from their mild taste Kidney bean is a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming 100 grams of kidney bean offers 35.6 mg of Vitamin C, 0.362 mg of Vitamin B1, 0.273 mg of Vitamin B2 0.174 mg of Copper, 3.024 mg of Vitamin B3, 47 µg of Vitamin B9, 0.89 mg of Iron, and 4.83 g of Protein. Moreover many Amino acids like 0.214 g of Isoleucine, 0.248 g of Valine, 0.203 g of Threonine, 0.05 g of Tryptophan, and 0.135 g of Histidine are also found in 100 grams of the fruit.

Nutritional value of Kidney Beans

Serving Size: 1 Cup,100 g

Calories 33 Kcal.Calories from Fat 5.22 Kcal.

Proximity Amount % DV
Water 89.3 g N/D
Energy 33 Kcal N/D
Energy 138 kJ N/D
Protein 4.83 g 9.66%
Total Fat (lipid) 0.58 g 1.66%
Ash 0.58 g N/D
Carbohydrate 4.72 g 3.63%
Total Dietary Fiber 6.40g 16.84%
Soluble 2.62 g N/D
Insoluble 3.77 g N/D
Minerals Amount % DV
Copper, Cu 0.174 mg 19.33%
Iron, Fe 0.89 mg 11.13%
Manganese, Mn 0.199 mg 8.65%
Magnesium, Mg 23 mg 5.48%
Phosphorus, P 38 mg 5.43%
Potassium, K 194 mg 4.13%
Zinc, Zn 0.44 mg 4.00%
Calcium, Ca 19 mg 1.90%
Selenium, Se 0.6 µg 1.09%
Sodium, Na 7 mg 0.47%
Vitamins Amount % DV
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 35.6 mg 39.56%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.362 mg 30.17%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.273 mg 21.00%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 3.024 mg 18.90%
Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) 47 µg 11.75%
Vitamin K 8.40 µg 7%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.381 mg 7.62%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.093 mg 7.15%
Vitamin A 2 µg 0.29%
Lipids Amount % DV
Fatty acids, total saturated 0.083 g 0.13%
Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) 0.074 g N/D
Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) 0.01 g N/D
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 0.045 g N/D
Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) 0.045 g N/D
Gadoleic acid 20:1 (eicosenoic acid)  g N/D
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 0.318 g 1.87%
Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) 0.123 g N/D
Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) 0.194 g N/D
Amino Acids Amount % DV
Isoleucine 0.214 g 12.80%
Valine 0.248 g 11.74%
Threonine 0.203 g 11.53%
Tryptophan 0.05 g 11.36%
Histidine 0.135 g 10.96%
Leucine 0.347 g 9.39%
Phenylalanine 0.243 g 8.37%
Lysine 0.275 g 8.22%
Cystine 0.055 g 3.29%
Methionine 0.05g N/D
Tyrosine 0.166g N/D
Arginine 0.263 g N/D
Alanine 0.2 g N/D
Aspartic acid 0.628 g N/D
Glutamic acid 0.589 g N/D
Glycine 0.166 g N/D
Proline 0.195 g N/D
Serine 0.258 g N/D

*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs.

Health benefits of Kidney beans

Kidney beans are loaded with important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are essential to living a healthy and prosperous life. Including kidney beans on a regular diet helps us to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis, Relieves Fatigue, is good for digestive health, cures acne, and many other diseases.

1. Beneficial for digestive health

Kidney beans are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber is normally of two types insoluble and soluble, kidney beans include both. Soluble fiber is helpful in reducing the amount of cholesterol you absorb from food and insoluble fiber provides the required bulk for good digestive health as well as bowel movements. Research recommends consuming more fluids as soon as you consume kidney beans or any other legumes to assist the digestive system properly using additional fiber.

2. Cardiovascular Benefits

Kidney beans include higher fiber content which is essential to reduce cholesterol levels. Foliate content in kidney beans also helps to lower homocysteine which further decreases the chance of heart attacks, vascular disease, and many other heart-related diseases. Apart from that magnesium contained in kidney beans helps to maintain the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system.

3. Cures Acne

Kidney beans consist of a moderate quantity of Zinc that plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Zinc helps the proper functioning of sebaceous glands that helps to produce perspiration. Apart from that folic acids presents in kidney beans help in forming new skin cells. Regular production of new cells can be beneficial to clear pores as well as decrease acne breakouts. Therefore kidney beans consumption is beneficial for better skin health.

4. Relieves Fatigue

Fatigue, also mentioned as lethargy, tiredness, listlessness, and exhaustion describes a physical and mental state of being tired and weak. The magnesium content of Kidney beans can significantly provide relief from fatigue. It also relaxes nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. Regular kidney beans consumption also helps to reduce muscle soreness, headache, migraine, and different effects of Asthma.

5. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious long-lasting progressive illness resulting in inflammation of joints and leads to throbbing deformity as well as immovability, particularly in the ankles, feet, fingers, and wrists. Frequent Kidney beans intake is the best option for decreasing such inflammatory conditions since kidney beans contain a reasonable quantity of Copper content. Copper is essential to encourage certain enzymatic activity as well as sustain elastic properties of joints, blood vessels, and ligaments.

6. Treatment of the Common Cold

Common cold, simply known as cold, is a viral infectious illness of the upper respiratory tract that mainly affects the nose. Kidney beans intake improves the immune system of our body, which safeguards us from colds and coughs. It enables the absorption of iron and hence strengthens the body’s resistance to infection. It also fights against viruses.

7. Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is actually a progressive mental weakening that takes place in middle or old age, because of the general deterioration of the brain. It is the main reason for premature senility. Vitamin B is an essential nutrient for proper brain function which is found in significant amounts in Kidney beans. It nourishes your brain nerves and cells which can avoid age-linked diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

8. Bone Strength

Calcium and manganese present in Kidney beans are essential nutrients for maintaining strong bones and other trace minerals help to prevent osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile due to loss of tissue). Different research has proven that low quantities of folic acid in the diet result in the growth of homocysteine levels and considerably increase the risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures, mainly hip fracture in women and in men. Vitamin K content is also an acute nutrient for bone health. Vitamin K deficient people are at high risk of suffering from bone fractures problems. Vitamin K has been shown to stop fractures in women who have passed through menopause and have previously started to experience bone loss.

9. Antioxidants & Anti-aging Properties

Kidney Beans are loaded with antioxidants that are considered to have strong anti-aging properties and to encourage longevity by limiting the damage caused by free radicals. It will help protect the skin and the rest of the body from long-term problems caused by environmental factors as well as unhealthy foods.

10. Curing Cataracts (Eye Disorder)

A cataract is a most common condition of visual problems. Kidney beans consist of a considerable amount of vitamin C. An Insufficient quantity of vitamin C within the lens of the human eye has been discovered mostly when cataracts are present. An increase in vitamin C intake increases the blood supply to the ocular areas of the body.

How to Eat

  • In Latin America and parts of tropical Africa, they are grown mainly for the dried pulse in Latin America and parts of tropical Africa.
  • They are grown for the green immature pods and are consumed as a vegetable and are also canned and frozen in Europe, the United States, and other temperate countries.
  • In Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea, leaves are also used as vegetables.
  • Immature pods are frequently boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or baked in casseroles.
  • Pods are consumed mixed with other vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, or stir-fries with several types of meat.
  • Pods are battered and fried and green beans are used in tempura in Japan.
  • Green bean casserole including green beans, French fried onion, and cream of mushroom soup is usually eaten particularly at Thanksgiving in the USA.
  • Kidney beans are used in chili con carne.
  • Kidney bean is an essential part of the Punjabi cuisine in Punjab.
  • Small kidney beans used in stews in La Rioja, Spain, are called Caparrones.
  • The leaf is also rarely used as a vegetable and straw as fodder.
  • Seeds are typically boiled with seasoning and oil in tropical Africa.
  • Beans can also be eaten mashed or made into soup.
  • Young leaves of the plant are eaten as a salad in Java.
  • The powdered seed makes a protein-enriching additive to flour; it can also be used in soups.
  • Seed can also be sprouted and used in salads or cooked.
  • Roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute.
  • Young leaves – raw or cooked as a potherb.
  • Young leaves are eaten as a salad, the older leaves are cooked.

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Kidney beans

  • Bean pods are the most widely used traditional remedies for diabetes mellitus.
  • It relieves a variety of ailments from acne, eczema, diarrhea, and hiccups.
  • Green pods are slightly diuretic and contain a substance that decreases the blood sugar level.
  • Flour is used outwardly in the treatment of ulcers.
  • Seed is also used in the treatment of cancer of the blood.
  • When bruised and boiled with garlic they cured stubborn coughs.
  • A homeopathic remedy is made from the entire fresh herb.
  • It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, plus disorders of the urinary tract.

Other Facts

  • Bean leaves are used to trap bedbugs in houses.
  • Microscopic hairs (trichomes) on the bean leave to capture the insects.
  • Beans were used as devices in numerous methods of prediction. Fortune-telling using bean is called favomancy.
  • The crop is used as fodder to feed animals.
  • A brown dye is obtained from red kidney beans.
  • Water from the cooked beans is very effective in reviving woolen fabrics.
  • Plant residue remaining after harvesting the dried beans is a source of biomass.

Precautions

  • Roots are reported to cause dizziness in human beings and animals.
  • Huge quantities of raw mature seed are poisonous.
  • Kids eating few seeds have revealed mild forms of poisoning with nausea and diarrhea, however, complete recovery took place in 12 – 24 hours.
  • Gout and kidney stones patients should avoid extra consumption of kidney beans.
  • The high amount of red kidney beans can disturb cellular metabolism.

References

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