Another member of the bean category, the red kidney bean is ranked third in USDA’s top 20 list of foods with the highest antioxidant capacity. According to the list, a half cup of powdered red kidney bean contains as much as 13259 antioxidant capacity per serving size.
Red kidney beans are available both dried and canned throughout the year. The dried variety, however, are generally more available in prepackaged containers. Kidney beans stay true to their name in that they are kidney-shaped and are especially good in simmered dishes where they absorb the flavors of seasonings and the other foods with which they are cooked.
Kidney beans are very good sources of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. In addition, its high fiber content also prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal. This makes the red kidney bean an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.
When combined with whole grains, kidney beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. But this is far from all kidney beans have to offer. Kidney beans are an excellent source of the trace mineral molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites.
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