{"id":628435,"date":"2024-06-18T09:30:21","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T13:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628435"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:21:09","slug":"benefits-of-green-beans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benefits-of-green-beans\/","title":{"rendered":"7 health benefits of green beans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Green beans are a staple of American diets\u2014as a daily side dish or in a Thanksgiving casserole. These nutritious legumes (part of the genus <\/span>Phaseolus vulgaris<\/span><\/i>) have a savory, earthy taste along with a tender-crisp texture. They go by many other names, such as the common bean, string beans, snap beans, and French beans. Whatever you call them, green beans contain a ton of beneficial nutrients, such as dietary fiber and antioxidants. They also offer benefits for your gut, heart, and immune health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health benefits of green beans<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s what experts and researchers say about the health benefits of green beans\u2014and why you should add them to your plate.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Aids digestion<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fiber is the gold standard nutrient for the digestive system. \u201cThe fiber in green beans feeds a healthy gut microbiome,\u201d explains <\/span>William Li, MD<\/span>, an internal medicine physician and bestselling author of <\/span>Eat to Beat Disease<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s also known for improving regularity and relieving constipation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Green beans are rich in dietary fiber\u2014one cup contains 4 grams, per the <\/span>USDA<\/span><\/a>. The recommendation for dietary fiber is about 25 grams daily for women and 38 grams for men, according to the <\/span>Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics<\/span><\/a>. Depending on your fiber needs, green beans provide up to 16% of your daily needs in one sitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Improves heart health<\/span><\/h3>\n

Green beans have cardioprotective properties, says <\/span>Julie Pace, RDN<\/span><\/a>, functional dietitian nutritionist and owner of Core Nutrition Health and Wellness in Pearl, Mississippi. For starters, they can help lower high blood pressure. Legumes <\/span>have been shown<\/span><\/a> to significantly improve blood pressure in people with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. <\/span>Researchers have found<\/span><\/a> that green beans can even reduce LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of green beans’ heart-health benefits can be attributed to their high fiber content. One of dietary fiber\u2019s many benefits is that it supports cardiovascular health, explains <\/span>Michelle Routhenstein, RD<\/span><\/a>, a New York dietitian who specializes in heart disease. This could help explain why green beans have such a positive influence on cholesterol levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, they\u2019re rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are compounds found in plants that are associated with <\/span>heart and brain health<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThey\u2019re particularly high in quercetin and kaempferol, which are anti-inflammatory and support heart health,\u201d notes Routhenstein.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Boosts immune and skin health<\/span><\/h3>\n

Plant foods are often excellent sources of vitamins and minerals, so it comes as no surprise that green beans are rich in vitamin C. <\/span>Vitamin C i<\/span><\/a>s an antioxidant known for supporting the immune system and has <\/span>skin health benefits<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRaw, fresh green beans provide about 25% of your daily value for vitamin C in just one cup,\u201d Pace says. \u201cAntioxidants like vitamin C boost your immune system, support collagen production, and protect the skin against free radicals.\u201d Some of the vitamin C is lost when you cook them, so Pace recommends enjoying them raw or making sure they\u2019re not overcooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

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