bowel-friendly black beans
Black beans are sometimes known as Turtle beans, which I think makes them sound even cuter than they already are. When uncooked, they are so shiny and perfect with their little obsidian-esque turtle shells. They are absolutely fantastic shaker-makers for the children, not to mention very easy to get hold of, and extremely cheap!
Like all beans, black beans are very protein-rich. They fill you up fast, with one portion giving you all of the protein and all of the fibre that you need in a day. Why are they bowel-friendly? Well, its all of that fibre, my friend! The roughage they provide helps ‘scrape’ the bowels, whilst the bean froth they create helps to keep stools soft, allowing a smooth passage for everything that follows!
Pitta and Kapha types do extremely well with black beans, especially in the early Spring. This is because they help to keep you congestion free, whether that’s in the bowels as mentioned before, or the upper respiratory tract. They are also good for keeping blood vessels free of congestion. Vata types who tend to be drier kind of people on the whole may need to steer clear of black beans though. This is because as everyone knows, beans can produce gas and thus bloating. Vata types tend to have less or insufficient digestive juices in the stomach, and are therefore more likely to experience the dry, ‘airy side effects of black beans! Digestive spices such as cumin, coriander, asafoetida and fennel are great for mitigating the “more you eat, the more you fart” side to beans, and a good Ayurveda health coach can steer you in the right direction if you’re unsure.
There isn’t necessarily any need to soak black beans, but if you don’t, then make sure you cook them for a good, long time. A gentle simmer for 2-3 hours is great, although this can be reduced with the help of a pressure cooker.. So, if you’re looking at improving digestion, bowel movements, blood circulation or feeling satisfied/full after a meal, then give black beans a go. Similarly, if you’re on a weight loss journey, see how they make you feel. For those who are trying to get more magnesium and protein into their lives, try black beans. But, if you have dry hair, skin or nails or are feeling anxious or scattered at the moment, steer clear for now.