Akara offers numerous health benefits and belongs to various food groups due to its main ingredient, beans.
Beans are low in fat and cholesterol-free, and they actually help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels rather than raise them.
- Heart health: Beans are rich in soluble fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It’s best to avoid canned ground beans to minimize sodium content used for preservation.
- Low in fat: Most beans contain only 2 to 3 percent fat and no cholesterol unless they’re processed or cooked with other ingredients.
- Blood sugar balance: Beans provide a healthy combination of complex carbohydrates and protein, which digest slowly, helping stabilize blood sugar levels and potentially reducing fatigue and irritability.
- Cancer prevention: The fiber and antioxidants in beans, when consumed in about 3 cups per week, can promote overall health and lower the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
- Nutrient-rich: In addition to protein, complex carbs, and fiber, beans are packed with essential nutrients like antioxidants, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. These nutrients, often lacking in many diets, are considered “shortfall nutrients” by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and beans can help address these deficiencies.
