According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), research shows that black beans may help fix insulin resistance and boost gut bacteria balance.
A USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study found that cooked black beans improved sensitivity to insulin and other measures often related to diabetes and rebalanced gut flora in obese mice.
"This research suggests that eating even a small amount of black beans can have multiple health benefits," ARS research chemist Wallace Yokoyama said, according to the press release.
"We also tested if supplementing the high fat diet with individual components from black beans would have the same beneficial impacts on the obese mice and didn't find the same effects at all. It was only adding whole black beans, and cooked whole beans at that, which had the benefits," Yokoyama said.
A single mouse-sized serving of black beans lowered insulin resistance 87% in obese mice compared to the control group. The addition of black beans to the mice’s diet also decreased levels of bad cholesterol and other chemicals related to cardiovascular help.
Low in fat and high in fiber and protein, black beans, also known as black turtle beans, are commonly found in Mexican and Caribbean cuisines as well as in Cajun and Creole cooking.
