Interest in beans is rising among Americans as more people seek affordable, healthy, and versatile food options. The humble bean, once underestimated, is receiving renewed attention thanks to social media influencers and new bean-based products. For instance, a popular heirloom-bean service currently holds a waiting list of tens of thousands. Even children’s shows like ‘Bluey’ are being used to market beans to younger audiences.
Tim McGreevy, CEO of USA Pulses, notes this trend as a renaissance for beans. Historically, legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas have been important for agriculture and a cheaper alternative to animal proteins. In many cuisines, they are central staples, such as dal in India and beans-and-rice dishes across Latin America.
Beans offer an affordable, nutritious protein source and can keep you as full as beef.
Henry J. Thompson, a Colorado State University professor, urges Americans to realize the health benefits of beans. Rich in fiber, which many Americans lack, beans can provide a low-cost solution amid rising food prices. They are an ideal food, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.
The Historical Importance of Beans
Joël Broekaert, author of ‘A History of the World in Twelve Beans’, explains that beans were vital in early agriculture due to their nitrogen-fixing properties, which rejuvenate soil alongside crops that deplete nitrogen, like grains. This relationship maintained soil health in ancient agriculture.
However, increased meat production in the last century led to beans being overshadowed. Meat became cheaper and more accessible. McGreevy notes that bean consumption was higher in the first half of the 20th century, especially during times of economic hardship, like the Great Depression.
Nutritional Benefits of Beans
Beans are gaining popularity for their numerous health benefits. They help regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and reduce cancer risk. Although beans are known for being fiber-rich, many American adults do not meet the recommended daily fiber intake, according to a study in Current Developments in Nutrition.
Thompson highlights that beans positively affect gut microbes. Pulse fibers encourage beneficial microbes and suppress harmful ones. This simple nutritional impact is significant.
Additionally, beans contain a roughly 1-to-1 ratio of fiber and protein. A half cup of cooked beans, like kidney or black beans, provides about 8 grams of protein. A recent update in U.S. Dietary Guidelines categorized beans, peas, and lentils as protein rather than vegetables, reflecting their nutritional value.
Beans: Tasty and Affordable
Beyond health, beans are delicious. Steve Sando, founder of Rancho Gordo, an heirloom-bean company, encourages bean consumption due to their great taste. Rancho Gordo, initially founded in 2001 with limited interest in heirloom beans, now sells approximately 2.5 million pounds annually.
The company’s Bean Club attracts over 30,000 members who receive bean packages regularly. Sando emphasizes the satisfaction of cooking beans from scratch, which offers a rewarding culinary experience.
Madeline Schapiro, a social media “bean-fluencer,” shares her passion for beans online, highlighting their versatility in recipes like lentil granola and mung bean pancakes. Schapiro promotes the idea that eating healthy doesn’t have to be costly.
A Future Focused on Beans
Efforts are underway to increase bean consumption even further. USA Pulses aims to double American production and consumption by 2030, also paralleling a global initiative by the United Nations. McGreevy emphasizes the environmental and health benefits of beans as unambiguous.
Initiatives include public policy changes, collaboration with food manufacturers, and public awareness campaigns. The goal is for Americans to consume a half cup of pulses each day, as recommended by the U.S. Agriculture Department.
A therapeutic amount of 1.5 cups per day can offer the full nutritional benefits of pulses, Thompson advises.
He encourages variety in pulse consumption for maximizing benefits during meals. As beans continue to gain traction, people are finding renewed appreciation for their value in modern diets.
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