A group of researchers at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has found that despite the known side-effects of beans, these are worth consuming once a day. The report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reveals that certain conditions can be improved with the same.

Almost 121 people were enrolled in the review, which helped in discovering that patients of diabetes can enhance their glycemic control with the intake of legumes as part of a low glycemic index (GI). A cup or 190g of legumes on daily basis can help one to lower BP and slow down heart rate as well, which in return would help in cutting the risk of CHD or coronary heart disease.

The participants were given chick peas, lentils and beans to munch and after three months of the routine, it was noted that high-fibre wheat was failing in front of beans. The legumes helped in reducing their HbA1c values of 0.5%. The ones on wheat were showing improvements of 0.3% only, when compared to their counterparts.

"These data provide support for the use of legumes as a specific food option to lower the dietary GI in type 2 diabetes mellitus", said David Jenkins and colleagues.