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Are Beans Good for You?
The ultimate guide to beans + their health benefits.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Are beans good for you?”, the short answer is YES! These humble legumes have been nourishing humans for thousands of years. Whether you’re looking to up your protein, fuel your gut, or just curious to know what all the bean hype’s about, we’ve broken down exactly why beans are (EXTREMELY) good for you.
Beans = THE OG Plant Protein
When it comes to plant-based protein, beans have been doing it long before protein powders + bars were a thing. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, keeping your muscles strong, and helping you feel properly satisfied after a meal.
Here’s a quick look at some popular beans and their protein content per 100g (cooked):
To put that into perspective, 100g of roasted chicken breast contains around 27g of protein, BUT beans deliver all that plant-powered goodness with added fibre and no saturated fat.
Fibre – and Why Farting is Actually a GREAT Thing
Beans are FULL of fibre. Fibre helps keep your digestion moving, balances our blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and feeds your gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria that keep your gut and overall health thriving. AKA a very important nutrient. We should all be aiming for 30g of fibre a day.
We won’t beat around the bush, BEANS MAKE YOU FART – but that’s the fermentation at work! So see it as a party in your gut.
More scientifically, as your gut bacteria feast on the prebiotics in beans, the farts can be a side effect of this process. It’s a sign your gut is thriving. If your stomach is more sensitive or you are following a low-FODMAP diet, you can reduce discomfort by only eating a small amount of beans and working up to a larger quantity over time. Think bean tacos before beanottos!
As gut health expert Tim Spector says, “There’s about 20 different types of beans you can get in shops in the UK but we only eat a fraction of them… They’re cheap and they give you plenty of protein and fibre. People complain they get gassy when they eat beans, but all you need to do is gradually increase it. Don’t overdo it on day one.”
FEEL FULLER FOR LONGER
Ever finish a meal and feel hungry an hour later? It could be you’re lacking fiber in your dish. The answer to this could be as simple as - ADDING BEANS! Beans are the ultimate satiety heroes. Thanks to their high protein + high fibre combo, they help you feel satisfied for longer. They are also a naturally nutrient-dense food yet relatively low in calories, making them a SUPER satisfying choice for balanced eating and supporting healthy weight goals.
Unlike refined carbs, beans have a low glycaemic load (GL), meaning they release energy slowly and keep blood sugar levels steady. This steady fuel means fewer cravings, more stable energy, and less snacking between meals! WIN WIN.
Rest assured, any recipe involving beans will tick ALL of the boxes when it comes to health, but this collection of our Healthy Bean Recipes leans a little fresher - mostly vegan, naturally wholesome and but still BRIMMING with DELICIOUSNESS.
NOT ALL BEANS ARE EQUAL
All beans are nutrient-dense, but their exact profile varies. Here’s a quick bean nutrition comparison per 100g (cooked). Packed with iron, folate, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants, beans aren’t just protein powerhouses – they’re whole-body health boosters. But above all, they ARE DELICIOUS.
The Bottom Line (pardon the pun)
So, are beans good for you? 100% yes.
They are:
- A fantastic source of plant-based protein
- Packed with fibre for digestion and gut health
- A natural way to support weight management
- Heart-healthy and nutrient-dense
-And most importantly… SO DELICIOUS!
Whether you’re tossing chickpeas into a fridge raid salad, making a hearty black bean birria, or trying our smokey chilli beans on toast, beans are one of the easiest, tastiest ways to eat for health.