Tag: Beans for gut health

According to the American Society for Nutrition, a vast majority of Americans do not consume the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber, a key component for a healthy gut. Including beans in your diet is an excellent and cost-effective way to boost fiber intake and promote better digestive health, but knowing which beans are best and how to prepare them is essential for maximizing benefits and avoiding discomfort.

According to research from MD Anderson Cancer Center, daily consumption of beans can significantly improve the gut microbiome's diversity and composition. While nearly all legumes offer powerful prebiotic benefits, savvy consumers want to know: what beans are best for the microbiome to maximize digestive health?

Over 87% of a study's participants who consumed a cup of navy beans daily experienced positive changes to their gut microbiome within eight weeks. This impressive finding highlights the powerful impact legumes can have, but what beans are best for gut health, and how do they benefit your digestive system?

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, beans are excellent sources of fermentable fiber, confirming that beans are a prebiotic, not a probiotic. Prebiotics are specialized plant fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria already in your gut, helping them to thrive.