Green Beans: Nutrition and Health Benefits
Green beans are low in calories and rich in natural compounds that can help you control your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, and fight off free radicals.
Milos Pokimica
Written By: Milos Pokimica
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Xiùying Wáng, M.D.
Updated September 25, 2023Key Takeaways:
– Green beans are harvested before the pods dry up and split open.
– Some studies have shown that green beans can reduce the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer because they have high amounts of chlorophyll, resistant starch, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and phenolic compounds (Aquino-Bolaños et al., 2021).
– Another benefit of green beans is that they can help control diabetes by lowering insulin production and blood sugar levels.
– Green beans can also help you improve your cardiovascular health by lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
– A cup of green beans has only 31 calories, which is less than 2% of your daily calorie intake. Of these calories, 77% come from carbs, 19% from protein, and 5% from fat.
– Green beans can be a good choice for dieting, as they can help you feel full and satisfied with fewer calories.
– They have a good amount of vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with blood clotting and bone health. They also have some vitamin C, however, vitamin C is heat sensitive. After cooking the amount of vitamin C left will be negligible.
– Green beans have about 4 grams of fiber per cup, which is about 16% of your daily recommended intake.
– The glycemic index (GI) of green beans is 32, which is considered low by the American Diabetes Association’s standards.
– Cooking increased the content of carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) in all types of green beans.
– Green beans are generally low FODMAP.
– Green beans have less fiber and carbohydrates which means they are less likely to cause fermentation and gas in the large intestine.
– Avoid eating any legumes raw even if they are unmatured varieties like green beans.
– You can reduce or get rid completely of all of the antinutrients by soaking or sprouting first and then by cooking beans before eating them. These methods can deactivate or remove most of the phytates, all of the lectins, and most of the enzyme inhibitors in beans and make them more digestible and nutritious.
Green Beans.
Legumes are amazing plants that can feed millions of people around the world. They are not only delicious, but also nutritious, as they are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Legumes can also help balance the deficiency of some cereals because they have essential amino acids that cereals lack. That’s why many people in developing countries rely on legumes as their main source of protein.
One of the most important legumes in the world is the bean. There are many types of beans, but they all belong to the genus Phaseolus, which has up to 117 species. Most of these species originated in the Mesoamerican region, which is the area between Mexico and Central America. Some of the most popular beans are P. vulgaris and P. coccineus L., which were first domesticated in western Mexico. These beans are among the top five cultivated and consumed species in Mexico, and also among the top three worldwide.
But beans are not only good for their seeds. They also have edible pods that are known as green beans.
Green beans are harvested before the pods dry up and split open.
They can have different colors, from yellow and green to red and purple, depending on the variety. Green beans are very juicy because they have a lot of water in them. They also have minerals, vitamin A, and some protein and fiber. Green beans are classified as vegetables, and they are part of many people’s daily diet. They are also rich in antioxidants, which are substances that can protect your cells from damage. Some of the antioxidants in green beans are phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and other compounds that have names that are hard to pronounce.
Health Benefits.
These antioxidants can do amazing things for your health. For example, they can help prevent or slow down the growth of cancer cells in your body. They can also fight against bacteria, viruses, spasms, and inflammation.
Some studies have shown that green beans can reduce the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer because they have high amounts of chlorophyll, resistant starch, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and phenolic compounds (Aquino-Bolaños et al., 2021).
Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives them their green color and helps them produce oxygen. Chlorophyll can bind to carcinogens, which are substances that can cause cancer, and prevent them from reaching your cells. It is used in detoxification protocols as one of the main supplements. They also contain flavonoids, which are a type of phenolic compound that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Flavonoids can modulate the activity of enzymes and hormones that are involved in cancer development and progression.
Another benefit of green beans is that they can help control diabetes by lowering insulin production and blood sugar levels.
This is because they have a lot of fiber that slows down the digestion of carbohydrates. Some people with diabetes can even reduce their need for insulin by up to 40% by eating green beans regularly.
Green beans can help you prevent or manage diabetes by regulating your blood sugar levels. They contain resistant starch and soluble and insoluble fiber, which can slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and reduce the spikes in insulin and glucose in your bloodstream. They also contain phenolic compounds, which are antioxidants that can protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation caused by high blood sugar.
Green beans can also help you improve your cardiovascular health by lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
They contain carotenoids, which are pigments that give them their yellow or orange hues and protect them from sun damage. Carotenoids can act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that can prevent the oxidation and accumulation of LDL cholesterol. They also contain polyamines, which are molecules that help them grow and repair their cells. Polyamines can regulate the synthesis and degradation of fats in the liver and prevent the elevation of triglycerides, which are fats that can increase your risk of heart disease.
Nutritional Profile Of Green Beans.
Nutrient (100 grams serving) | Amount | Daily Value |
Energy | 31 kcal | 1.5% |
Protein | 1.83 g | 3% |
Total lipid (fat) | 0.22 g | 1% |
Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.97 g | 5.4% |
Fiber, total dietary | 2.7 g | 8% |
Sugars, total including NLEA | 3.26 g | – |
Minerals | ||
Calcium, Ca | 37 mg | 3% |
Iron, Fe | 1.03 mg | 6% |
Magnesium, Mg | 25 mg | 6% |
Phosphorus, P | 38 mg | 3% |
Potassium, K | 211 mg | 4% |
Sodium, Na | 6 mg | 0.4% |
Zinc, Zn | 0.24 mg | 2% |
Copper, Cu | 0.069 mg | 6% |
Manganese, Mn | 0.216 mg | 9% |
Selenium, Se | 0.6 µg | – |
Vitamins | ||
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 12.2 mg | 14% |
Thiamin | 0.082 mg | 7% |
Riboflavin | 0.104 mg | 8% |
Niacin | 0.734 mg | 5% |
Pantothenic acid | 0.225 mg | 5% |
Vitamin B-6 | 0.141 mg | 8% |
Folate, total | 33 µg | 8% |
Choline, total | 15.3 mg | |
Vitamin A, RAE | 35 µg | 4% |
Carotene, beta | 379 µg | 3% |
Vitamin A, IU | 690 IU | |
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.41 mg | 3% |
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 43 µg | 36% |
Antioxidants | ||
Lutein + zeaxanthin | 640 µg | |
Kaempferol | 0.5 mg | |
Myricetin | 0.1 mg | |
Quercetin | 2.7 mg |
Green beans are a good source of complex carbs. A cup of green beans has four grams of starch, which gives you quick energy. It also has almost three grams of fiber, which helps you control blood sugar levels, keep you full longer, and support your gut health.
Green beans are naturally fat-free, which makes them a great choice for weight management. A cup of green beans has only 0.2 grams of fat, which is negligible.
A cup of green beans has only 31 calories, which is less than 2% of your daily calorie intake. Of these calories, 77% come from carbs, 19% from protein, and 5% from fat.
However, be careful with how you cook and serve green beans, as some methods can add extra fat to them. For example, if you top them with butter or cheese, or make them into a casserole with cream and fried onions, you can increase the fat and calorie content significantly.

Green beans can be a good choice for dieting, as they can help you feel full and satisfied with fewer calories. They can also provide you with essential nutrients that your body needs to function well. However, you should be careful with how you prepare and consume green beans, as some methods can add extra fat, sodium, or sugar to them.
For example, canned green beans may contain a lot of sodium, so you should rinse and drain them before eating.
You should also avoid adding butter, cheese, cream, or fried onions to your green beans, as these can increase the calorie and fat content. Instead, you can steam, boil, or sauté your green beans with some garlic, lemon juice, or herbs for a healthy and tasty side dish.
Green beans contain some protein. A cup of green beans has almost two grams of protein, which is not a lot but still contributes to your daily needs.
They have a good amount of vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with blood clotting and bone health. They also have some vitamin C, however, vitamin C is heat sensitive. After cooking the amount of vitamin C left will be negligible.
Summary.Green beans are a good source of vitamin K and complex carbs, contain some protein, and are very low in fat and calories.Diabetes.
If you have diabetes, you know how important it is to watch what you eat. You need to keep your blood sugar levels under control and avoid foods that can spike them. In fact, some vegetables can actually help you manage your diabetes better. One of them is green beans.
Green beans are one of the best vegetables for diabetes because they have many benefits for your health.
They are low in calories, fat, and carbs, but high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They can help you lose weight, prevent heart disease, fight cancer, and lower blood sugar levels.
First of all, green beans are low in carbs, which means they won’t raise your blood sugar levels as much as other starchy vegetables like potatoes or corn. Green beans have only about 7 grams of carbs per cup, compared to 37 grams for potatoes and 29 grams for corn. That’s a big difference!
Secondly, green beans are high in fiber, which is great for your digestion and blood sugar control. Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar from your food into your bloodstream, which helps prevent spikes and crashes. Fiber also makes you feel full longer, which helps you eat less and lose weight.
Green beans have about 4 grams of fiber per cup, which is about 16% of your daily recommended intake.
Thirdly, green beans are rich in antioxidants, which are natural substances that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause inflammation, aging, and diseases like cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and reduce their harmful effects. Green beans have many types of antioxidants, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and other compounds that have names that are hard to pronounce.
These antioxidants can do amazing things for your health. For example, they can help prevent or slow down the growth of cancer cells in your body. They can also fight against bacteria, viruses, spasms, and inflammation. Some studies have shown that green beans can reduce the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer because they have high amounts of chlorophyll, resistant starch, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and phenolic compounds.
These beans also have a low glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) of green beans is 32, which is considered low by the American Diabetes Association’s standards. As a guide, low glycemic foods are those with a GI of 55 or lower. The glycemic load (GL) of green beans is also low, equal to 2.1. Low GI and GL foods can help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes.
In this study (Ezzat et al., 2022), scientists studied how green beans can improve the health of diabetic rats. They also looked at how green beans can work together with stem cells to regenerate the pancreas, which is the organ that produces insulin. They injected some diabetic rats with stem cells, which are cells that can turn into different types of cells in the body.
They extracted the natural compounds from green beans using ethanol. They found that the green bean compounds increased the insulin level in the blood by 4.4 times when combined with stem cells. This means that the green bean compounds helped the stem cells to home in the pancreas and turn into insulin-producing cells.
The green bean compounds also reduced the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood, which are indicators of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk. Green bean compounds also increase the level of HDL, which is the good cholesterol that protects your arteries.
They tested their effects on two enzymes that are involved in digestion: pancreatic lipase and α-amylase. Pancreatic lipase breaks down fats, while α-amylase breaks down starches.
They found that green bean compounds inhibited both enzymes, but more strongly for pancreatic lipase. This means that green beans could help you lose weight by reducing the absorption of fats and carbohydrates.
Cooking Method.
The way the green beans are grown and cooked can affect their nutritional value and antioxidant capacity. In this study (Lima et al., 2017), scientists compared organic and conventional green beans and how they changed after different cooking methods.
They found that organic and conventional green beans had some differences in their initial raw state. Conventional green beans had more chlorophyll and total phenolics than organic green beans. Organic green beans have more flavonoids than conventional green beans, which are a type of polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Polyamines and carotenoids were similar for both types of green beans.
Organic green beans also had higher antioxidant capacity than conventional green beans, which means they could scavenge more free radicals.
The study also looked at how different cooking methods changed the levels of these nutrients and antioxidants. They used three methods: boiling, microwave heating, and pressure cooking.
Cooking increased the content of carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) in all types of green beans.
Microwave heating boosted some polar compounds a little more, which are molecules that dissolve in water, while pressure cooking enhanced carotenoids. These results suggest that different cooking methods can affect the color and quality of green beans.
But what about the antioxidant capacity of green beans?
They found that all green bean extracts reduced the free radicals, regardless of the farming method or the cooking method. However, microwave cooking in both organic and conventional green beans showed the highest reduction, indicating a higher availability of antioxidants with this type of heat treatment.
Low FODMAP food.
The low FODMAP diet is part of the therapy for those with IBS and SIBO. If you’re following a low FODMAP diet, you might be wondering if they’re also good for your gut. After all, some vegetables can be tricky when it comes to FODMAPs, and you don’t want to trigger any unpleasant symptoms.
So, are green beans low in FODMAP? The answer is yes, as long as you stick to the recommended portion size. You can enjoy up to 100 grams of green beans without worrying about FODMAPs. That’s about a handful or a small cup of these delicious beans.
Green beans contain small amounts of fructans and GOS, which are two types of FODMAPs that can cause bloating, gas, and pain in some people. If you eat more than 100 grams of green beans, you might end up with more FODMAPs than your body can handle.
While green beans are generally low FODMAP, there are some things you need to watch out for when eating them.
- Avoid eating too many green beans at once. As mentioned earlier, green beans contain some FODMAPs that can add up if you eat more than 100 grams. To avoid this, measure your portion size before eating, and don’t go back for seconds.
- Avoid eating green beans that have been cooked with high FODMAP ingredients. Some common culprits are garlic, onion, cream, cheese, honey, or dried fruits. These ingredients can increase the FODMAP content of your green beans and cause digestive distress. If you’re eating out or at someone else’s house, ask how the green beans were prepared and avoid them if they contain any high FODMAP ingredients.
- Avoid eating canned or frozen green beans that have added sugars or preservatives. These additives can also increase the FODMAP content of your green beans and make them less healthy. Always check the label before buying canned or frozen green beans and look for ones that have only green beans and water as ingredients.
Gas And Bloating.
Green beans are a type of legume, but they are different from other beans in terms of their gas production. Green beans are not fully mature and will have less resistant starch in them than fully mature beans.
Resistant starch is a type of starch that escapes digestion in your small intestine and reaches your colon, where it can feed your beneficial bacteria. Resistant starch can have many health benefits, such as lowering your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improving your insulin sensitivity, and increasing your satiety and weight control. It will also create gas and bloating as a side effect.
Green beans have less fiber and carbohydrates which means they are less likely to cause fermentation and gas in the large intestine.
However, this does not mean that green beans are completely gas-free.
Green beans still contain some fiber and lectins, which are proteins that can bind to carbohydrates and make digestion harder. Therefore, some people may still experience gas and bloating after eating green beans, especially if they eat too much or have a sensitive gut.
To reduce the gas and bloating caused by green beans, you can try some of these tips:
- Soak the green beans in water for 4-6 hours before cooking them. This will start a sprouting process that will remove some amount of antinutrients like lectins and will make them easier to digest.
- Cook the green beans thoroughly until they are soft and tender. This can also help break down some of the lectins and fiber.
- Chew the green beans well before swallowing them. This can help your saliva and digestive enzymes start the digestion process and reduce the workload for your gut.
- Avoid eating green beans with foods that can increase gas production, such as garlic, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or dairy products.
If you are prone to gas and bloating, you may want to limit your intake of green beans or follow the tips above to prevent discomfort.
Many people prefer the crisp and crunchy texture of fresh beans, especially in salads over the soft cooked ones that are canned. Not to mention, canned green beans often lose their vibrant green color and look dull and grayish. However, green beans are still beans.
Avoid eating any legumes raw even if they are unmatured varieties like green beans.
What Are The Side Effects Of Green Beans?
Beans contain some compounds that can affect your digestion, and metabolism, or cause inflammation. These compounds are called enzyme inhibitors, lectins, phytates, and oligosaccharides. They can have both good and bad effects on your body, depending on how much you eat and how you prepare them. Let me explain.
Enzyme inhibitors are substances that can block or slow down the activity of enzymes, which are proteins that help you digest and use the food you eat.
These enzyme inhibitors can help you lower your blood sugar and insulin levels by delaying the breakdown and absorption of carbs. They can also help you feel fuller and eat less by increasing your satiety and fullness. They can also help you prevent or manage obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome by improving your insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
On the other hand, they can also interfere with the digestion and absorption of protein and other nutrients by blocking the enzymes that break them down.
Lectins are proteins that can stick to carbohydrates on the surface of cells and affect their function. Some beans have lectins that can bind to cells in your blood vessels, gut, or immune system.
These lectins can be good or bad for you. On the one hand, they can help you lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels by binding to receptors on the walls of blood vessels and improving their elasticity and permeability. They can also help you fight off infections by binding to pathogens (such as bacteria or viruses) and preventing them from attaching to your cells. They can also help you modulate your immune system by stimulating or suppressing the activity of certain immune cells.
On the other hand, they can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients by binding to them and preventing them from entering your cells. They can also cause gut problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding by damaging the lining of your stomach or intestines. They can also cause allergic reactions or inflammation by activating your immune system or triggering the release of cytokines.
Phytates are compounds that can bind to minerals (such as calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, etc.) and form insoluble complexes that cannot be absorbed by your body. Some beans have phytates that can reduce the availability of minerals in your diet.
These phytates can be good or bad for you. On the one hand, they can help you prevent or treat kidney stones, osteoporosis, and cancer by reducing the formation of crystals, preventing bone loss, and inhibiting tumor growth.
On the other hand, they can also interfere with the absorption of minerals by binding to them and preventing them from entering your cells.
You can reduce or get rid completely of all of these antinutrients by soaking or sprouting first and then by cooking beans before eating them. These methods can deactivate or remove most of the phytates, all of the lectins, and most of the enzyme inhibitors in beans and make them more digestible and nutritious.
One more side effect I have to mention is allergies. Allergies to legumes, which include beans, peas, and lentils, are not very common, but they do exist. And among legumes, peas, and lentils are more likely to cause allergic reactions than green beans. But that doesn’t mean green beans are completely safe. There have been a few cases of green bean allergy reported by doctors. Scientists have even found one of the proteins in green beans that can trigger an allergic response (Zoccatelli et al., 2010).
But don’t worry too much. Green bean allergy is very rare, and most people can enjoy this healthy and delicious vegetable without any problems.
FAQ
References:
- Cisneros-Zevallos, L., & Minatel, I. O. (2017). Cooking processes increase bioactive compounds in organic and conventional green beans. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 68(8), 919–930. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637486.2017.1324563
- Ezzat, S. M., Abdel Rahman, M. F., Salama, M. M., Mahrous, E. A., & El Bariary, A. (2022). Non-polar metabolites of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) potentiate the antidiabetic activity of mesenchymal stem cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Journal of food biochemistry, 46(2), e14083. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14083
- Zoccatelli, G., Pokoj, S., Foetisch, K., Bartra, J., Valero, A., Del Mar San Miguel-Moncín, M., Vieths, S., & Scheurer, S. (2010). Identification and characterization of the major allergen of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as a non-specific lipid transfer protein (Pha v 3). Molecular Immunology, 47(7–8), 1561–1568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2010.01.009
- Chaurasia, S. (2020). Green beans. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 289–300). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-812780-3.00017-9
- Aquino-Bolaños, E. N., Garzón-García, A. K., Alba-Jiménez, J. E., Chávez-Servia, J. L., Vera-Guzmán, A. M., Carrillo-Rodríguez, J. C., & Santos-Basurto, M. A. (2021). Physicochemical Characterization and Functional Potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus coccineus L. Landrace Green Beans. Agronomy, 11(4), 803. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040803
Related Posts
Do you have any questions about nutrition and health?
I would love to hear from you and answer them in my next post. I appreciate your input and opinion and I look forward to hearing from you soon. I also invite you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more diet, nutrition, and health content. You can leave a comment there and connect with other health enthusiasts, share your tips and experiences, and get support and encouragement from our team and community.
I hope that this post was informative and enjoyable for you and that you are prepared to apply the insights you learned. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family who might also benefit from it. You never know who might need some guidance and support on their health journey.
– You Might Also Like –

Learn About Nutrition
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Medical Disclaimer
GoVeganWay.com brings you reviews of the latest nutrition and health-related research. The information provided represents the personal opinion of the author and is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH GoVeganWay.com
NEVER APPLY ANY LIFESTYLE CHANGES OR ANY CHANGES AT ALL AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN GoVeganWay.com BEFORE CONSULTING LICENCED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. GoVeganWay.com does not recommend or endorse any specific groups, organizations, tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned inside.
Editor Picks –
Milos Pokimica is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, medical health and nutrition writer, and nutritional science advisor. Author of the book series Go Vegan? Review of Science, he also operates the natural health website GoVeganWay.com
Latest Articles –
Plant Based News
-
Making Beans Sexy Again With Three One-Pot Recipes
on August 24, 2025
-
Vegan Banh Mi
on August 24, 2025
-
5 Powerful Plants That Can Help Heal Wounds
on August 23, 2025
-
Nearly A Quarter Of Consumers Identify As ‘Meat Reducers’ Or Flexitarians
on August 23, 2025
-
Vegan Ackee Pasta
on August 23, 2025
-
First GRUBBY x Allplants Frozen Vegan Ready Meals Set To Launch This Week
on August 22, 2025
-
Green Curry Sweet Potatoes With Shiitake Mushrooms
on August 22, 2025
Top Health News — ScienceDaily
- Your brain works overtime at night to burn fat and prevent sugar crasheson August 24, 2025
Researchers uncovered that hypothalamic neurons safeguard blood sugar overnight by directing fat breakdown, preventing hypoglycemia during early sleep. This subtle control system may explain abnormal metabolism in prediabetes.
- Why irregular sleep puts heart failure patients in dangeron August 24, 2025
Researchers discovered that heart failure patients with inconsistent sleep patterns were more than twice as likely to experience serious setbacks within six months. The risk remained high even when accounting for sleep disorders and other conditions. The team believes improving sleep regularity could be a simple, effective way to boost survival and recovery.
- Stopping time in cells exposes life’s fastest secretson August 24, 2025
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking cryo-optical microscopy technique that freezes living cells mid-action, capturing ultra-detailed snapshots of fast biological processes. By rapidly immobilizing cells at precise moments, researchers can overcome the limitations of traditional live-cell imaging and gain sharper insights into fleeting events like calcium ion waves in heart cells.
- Tiny green tea beads trap fat and melt away pounds without side effectson August 24, 2025
Researchers have created plant-based microbeads that trap fat in the gut, helping rats lose weight without side effects. Unlike current drugs, the beads are safe, tasteless, and easy to mix into everyday foods. Human trials are now underway.
- Too much salt can hijack your brainon August 24, 2025
Too much salt may inflame the brain, triggering hormones that push blood pressure higher. Scientists found this pathway could explain why many patients resist current hypertension drugs, pointing toward the brain as a new treatment target.
- Tiny protein dismantles the toxic clumps behind Alzheimer’son August 23, 2025
St. Jude researchers revealed that midkine blocks amyloid beta from forming harmful clumps linked to Alzheimer’s. Without it, the damaging assemblies accelerate, but with it, growth halts. The finding could inspire new drugs that harness midkine’s protective power.
- A startling omega-3 deficiency may explain women’s Alzheimer’s riskon August 22, 2025
Researchers discovered that women with Alzheimer’s show a sharp loss of omega fatty acids, unlike men, pointing to sex-specific differences in the disease. The study suggests omega-rich diets could be key, but clinical trials are needed.
PubMed, #vegan-diet –
- Risk of Osteoporosis and Anemia in Plant-Based Diets: A Systematic Review of Nutritional Deficiencies and Clinical Implicationson August 22, 2025
The global shift toward plant-based diets is accelerating, driven by growing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns. While these diets are linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases, emerging evidence highlights potential nutritional deficiencies, particularly in calcium, iron, and vitamin B12, that may compromise bone and hematologic health. This systematic review investigates the relationship between strict plant-based dietary practices and the risks of anemia and…
- Dietary guidance on plant-based meat alternatives for individuals wanting to increase plant protein intakeon August 21, 2025
A new generation of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has entered the mainstream. These products contain concentrated sources of plant protein and are formulated to mimic the taste and texture of their meat-based counterparts, especially red meat. The increased availability of these products coincides with calls from health agencies to increase the dietary plant-to-animal protein ratio for health and environmental reasons. The role of PBMAs in achieving the goal of consuming more plant…
- Vegan diet and nutritional status in infants, children and adolescents: A position paper based on a systematic search by the ESPGHAN Nutrition Committeeon August 17, 2025
Vegan and other plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular in the paediatric age group. There is limited evidence in the current medical literature to determine whether a vegan diet is adequate for children, since the currently available society position papers are based on narrative reviews and expert opinion. Updated evidence-based recommendations are needed to guide clinical practice. This position paper presents findings from a literature review performed using a systematic […]
- Beyond the plate: A pilot study exploring the microbial landscape of omnivores and vegans through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomicson August 13, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: These results were consistent with recently published gut microbiome signatures of vegans and omnivores across three different countries. Therefore, this small dataset allows a first insight into the gut microbiota of another county’s omnivores and vegans whereby detailed and relevant dietary, lifestyle and health related characteristics collected in this study aid in understanding of the connection between respective diets and the microbiome.
- Plant-based diets and risk of type 2 diabetes: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysison August 11, 2025
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. Several studies have evaluated the effect of plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diets on the risk of T2D, although their potential benefits need to be confirmed and characterized. We performed a literature search up to July 10, 2025 using the terms/keywords related to plant-based index (PDI), vegetarian/vegan diets, and T2D. We included observational non-experimental studies evaluating adherence to such […]
Random Posts –
Featured Posts –

Latest from PubMed, #plant-based diet –
- Human Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Switzerland: The Role of Diet, Age, Smoking, and Body Compositionby C Oltramare on August 23, 2025
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are widespread environmental contaminants that bioaccumulate in human, primarily through dietary intake. We conducted a cross-sectional study performed in Lausanne, Switzerland to investigate the association between the serum concentrations of POPs and individual characteristics. We measured 17 PCDD/Fs, 12 dl-PCBs and 6 i-PCBs in 80 volunteers….
- The Gut-Brain Axis and Mental Health: How Diet Shapes Our Cognitive and Emotional Well-Beingby Shradha Patil on August 22, 2025
The gut-brain axis (GBA) connects the gastrointestinal (GI) system and the central nervous system (CNS) in a two-way communication system that greatly impacts mental health and overall well-being. Dietary choices significantly influence the gut microbiome, thereby affecting emotional, cognitive, and neurological health. This review explores how specific dietary patterns, including high-fiber, plant-based, and Mediterranean diets (MD), enhance microbial diversity, decrease inflammation, and…
- Risk of Osteoporosis and Anemia in Plant-Based Diets: A Systematic Review of Nutritional Deficiencies and Clinical Implicationsby Folasade E Akinwumi on August 22, 2025
The global shift toward plant-based diets is accelerating, driven by growing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns. While these diets are linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases, emerging evidence highlights potential nutritional deficiencies, particularly in calcium, iron, and vitamin B12, that may compromise bone and hematologic health. This systematic review investigates the relationship between strict plant-based dietary practices and the risks of anemia and…
- The impact of soybean meal and field peas inclusion on growth performance, carcass traits and nutrient digestibilities in broiler chickens offered wheat-based dietsby Milan Kandel on August 22, 2025
Replacing soybean meal (SBM) in broiler diets with only other plant-based protein-rich ingredients or only non-bound amino acids (NBAA) may compromise growth performance in broiler chickens. However, combining both to replace SBM may be feasible while maintaining broiler performance. A 3 × 2 full factorial designed experiment was conducted to include three levels of SBM inclusions (conventional, medium, and low/nil) and with supplementation of field peas or not (50, 80, 100, and 120 g/kg in […]
- Retrospective Analysis of the Efficacy of Integrated Lifestyle Modifications in Managing Prediabetes in the Indian Populationby Pramod Tripathi on August 22, 2025
Background: Prediabetes is a growing health concern in India, with a prevalence of 15.3%. This retrospective study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of an integrated intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) in Indian patients with prediabetes while exploring sex- and body mass index (BMI)-based differences. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 427 patients with prediabetes (HbA1c: 5.7%-6.4% not on insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents and aged 18-75 years) who underwent a…
- Do Snow-Adapted Prey Facilitate Coexistence of the Sierra Nevada Red Fox With Sympatric Carnivores?by Grace Rosburg-Francot on August 22, 2025
Specialist species in alpine ecosystems may be increasingly threatened by climate-driven habitat loss and encroachment by generalist competitors. Ecological theory predicts that niche differentiation through dietary specialisation can facilitate coexistence with generalist competitors. We quantified dietary overlap between a high-elevation specialist, the Sierra Nevada red fox (SNRF; Vulpes vulpes necator) and a widespread generalist, the coyote (Canis latrans), as well as other sympatric…