Rice and beans: an important combination for health
Rice and beans form a blend capable of providing all the essential amino acids our bodies need
Daniel Dan outsideclick image by Pixabay
Rice and beans are more than a mixture of two foods. In Brazil, it is almost a typical dish by itself. In addition to being part of the Brazilian culture, these ingredients form an important combination capable of providing all the essential amino acids for the human body. Learn about the benefits of including rice and beans in your diet.
Why is rice and beans an important combination?
Rice and beans provide essential amino acids necessary for our health. Essential amino acids are those that need to be obtained through food, as our body is not able to synthesize them. The main essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.
Rice is a food rich in the amino acids methionine and cysteine, but, like other cereals, it is low in lysine. Beans, in turn, have all the essential amino acids, including being rich in lysine. However, it has less concentration of methionine and cysteine. It is noticed that, together, rice and beans provide all the essential amino acids our bodies need.
Other Benefits of Rice and Beans
In addition to providing important amino acids for protein synthesis, the combination of rice and beans presents nutrients that are also fundamental to health. Rice, for example, is an important source of carbohydrate and also has phosphate, iron, calcium and vitamins B1 and B2.
If brown rice is consumed, fibers are also provided, which are essential for the proper functioning of the intestine and the prevention of some diseases, such as colorectal cancer, obesity and diabetes. In addition, rice has a low amount of sodium and low levels of fat.
Beans also provide important nutrients such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and B-complex vitamins. They are also rich in fiber and have an antioxidant function. It is worth noting that beans have low sodium and fat content.
Therefore, rice and beans is not just a traditional combination of our cuisine. This simple and tasty dish provides a series of important nutrients for the functioning of our body. Remember that changing a dish of rice and beans for fast food it can be harmful to your health, as this meal will not provide the essential amino acids for your body.
