Mom's Nutritious Beans! 🍲💚👩‍🍳

Beans are the eternal companion of rice on the Brazilian table and one of the main sources of protein for the population. 🌾🍚 It is a great source of fiber to lower cholesterol, helping to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after a meal. 🩸

Another benefit of beans is their low fat and sodium content. When combined with whole grains like rice, beans provide high-quality, almost fat-free protein. 💪

Benefits:
- Prevents cancer: Beans are rich in manganese, which helps the body’s defense system through antioxidants. Manganese is essential for the oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase, responsible for neutralizing free radicals in the mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells). 🧬 Also, the vitamin K in beans can protect cells from oxidative stress, reducing the chances of cancer. 🛡️

- **Improves brain function**: Vitamin K in beans offers great benefits for the brain and nervous system. The myelin sheath, or outer covering around nerves, requires a fat called sphingolipids to form properly. 🧠 Vitamin K is essential for synthesizing sphingolipids, which are important for brain and nerve function. Beans are also a good source of thiamine, which is critical for brain cells and cognitive function. This vitamin is needed for producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter used for memory. A lack of it is a significant factor in senility and Alzheimer’s disease. 🧠🧩

- **Regulates blood sugar**: The soluble fiber in beans slows down the metabolism of carbohydrates, preventing blood sugar levels from rising quickly after a meal. The high protein content of beans also contributes to this effect. 🍽️