Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are beige with red streaks and derive their name from the Spanish word ’painted’.They locally(Kenya) go by the name Mwitemania beans.

Pinto Beans

Nutritional Composition

• Pinto beans are loaded with dietary fibre,including soluble fibre,which helps reduce low-density lipo-protein or your ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.
• Mineral content-Molybdenum is a trace mineral needed by the body to utilize iron and metabolize carbohydrates.It helps counteract the effect of nitrosamines in the body,chemicals with ties to colon and esophageal cancer.Pinto beans are an excellent source of this mineral.
• Pinto beans are high carbohydrate foods,which means that they help boost your energy.
• Pinto beans are a good source of B-Vitamins, especially folate.Folate is essential for producing new cells and keeping existing cells healthy.It’s especially vital to get adequate folate during early stages of pregnancy,since deficiancies increase the risk of birth defects.
• Eating legumes,is an excellent way to help meet your daily protein requirements.Although the protein in pinto beans doesn’t contain all the essential amino acids your body requires on a daily basis,eating a variety of proteins throughout the day,will help ensure you meet your essential amino-acid needs.
• Not only are pinto beans rich in proteins,fibre and total carbohydrates,but consuming legumes regularly is an excellent way to meet your daily vitamin and mineral needs.Pinto beans are packed with iron,zinc,potassium,phosphorus,magnesium,thiamin and folate.
• Unlike red meat, pinto beans are fat free and salt-free,perfect for sodium free diets.Dietary fibre in pinto beans help to stabilize blood sugar levels.