When we think about the beauty secrets of Korean women, the first thing that probably comes to mind is skincare. But beauty also starts on the plate, and there is a traditional staple of Korean cuisine that deserves our full attention: black beans.
This legume, affordable and easy to incorporate into the diet, stands out for its content in proteins, fiber, minerals, B vitamins and antioxidants such as anthocyanins.
A nutritional combination that makes it an interesting option for caring for the body and supplying nutrients related to maintaining healthy skin and hair.
The secret of the Koreans for caring for their hair starts with the diet
Black beans contain several nutrients that participate in the normal maintenance of the body and its tissues. Among them stand out iron, zinc, proteins, folic acid and B vitamins.
Hair needs an adequate supply of proteins and micronutrients to stay healthy. Therefore, a varied diet that includes sources of these nutrients can help meet the body’s needs.
In addition, black beans are especially interesting for their anthocyanins, plant pigments with antioxidant capacity that are also present in other foods that are red, purple or blue in color.
Antioxidants help protect cells against oxidative stress.
In the case of the skin, maintaining a diet rich in plant-based foods and antioxidants is part of a dietary pattern associated with the overall care of the body.
A fiber-rich legume that also helps care for the figure
But its benefits do not end with the hair and skin. Black beans are one of those legumes that bring together several interesting characteristics in a single food: they provide proteins, fiber and carbohydrates, as well as various minerals.
Their high fiber content promotes bowel movement and contributes to a greater sense of fullness after meals. They also contain prebiotic fiber, which serves as a substrate for certain beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota.
Another strength is that, within a balanced diet, the soluble fiber in legumes can contribute to maintaining normal cholesterol levels.
Moreover, combining fiber, proteins and carbohydrates in a single meal can help avoid rapid glucose spikes compared with options with lower fiber content.
How to incorporate black beans into your diet
One of the great advantages of this legume is that you don’t have to complicate things to include it in your menu. It can be used in salads, stews, soups, bowls or as a side to vegetables, rice or other cereals.
It is also an interesting alternative for those who want to increase their intake of plant-based proteins or reduce the amount of meat they typically eat.
And although in Korea they are part of a much broader culinary tradition, it is not necessary to follow a Korean diet to benefit from their nutritional properties.
Black beans are not a miracle food nor can they by themselves make hair grow, prevent graying or transform the skin. However, adding them to a varied diet helps to accumulate proteins, fiber, minerals and antioxidants in a simple and affordable way.
A staple food that shows that, sometimes, one of the best allies to take care of ourselves inside and out can be found in the legumes aisle of the supermarket.
