Anasazi Beans: 5 Health Benefits

The anasazi bean is a cousin of the pinto bean. It's packed with iron, calcium, potassium and lectin. Lectin has been studied for its powerful anti-tumor, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Research has shown that the lectin in anasazi beans can also help fight HIV. Anasazi beans health benefits include the ability to fight diabetes, reduce inflammation in the body, improve heart health, boost the immune system and even fight cancer.

Anasazi Beans Health Benefits

1. Treat and Prevent Diabetes

Anasazi beans health benefits include the ability to help treat and prevent diabetes naturally. The beans provide the body with a slow and steady source of glucose, fiber and protein. Research has shown that the lectin in anasazi beans naturally helps manage blood sugar levels by binding to glucose. Anasazi beans health benefits include promoting normal blood sugar management to help treat and prevent diabetes. (1)

2. Fight Cancer

The antimutagenic and antiproliferative compounds in anasazi beans help decrease the risk of cancer. Anasazi health benefits also include a reduced risk of cancer spreading. One study found that when leukemia patients were given lectin extract from the anasazi bean, it killed leukemic cells in the patients' blood that had become drug-resistant. The study suggests that anasazi health benefits may include potential natural cancer treatment. (2)

3. Improve Heart Health

Many of anasazi beans health benefits stem from the antioxidants they contain. The beans are rich in bioactive compounds and enzymes that work to reduce cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, which allows fats to be carried into the bloodstream. As a result, anasazi beans health benefits include an improved cardiovascular system. Adding anasazi beans to your diet can play an important role in maintaining a healthy heart. (3)

4. Boost the Immune System

Anasazi health benefits include a natural immune system boost. The lectin in the beans work to fight off autoimmune diseases that weaken the immune system. A study published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnologyfound that lectin in anasazi beans also has strong anti-HIV properties. Lectin works to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, which prevents HIV from becoming incorporated into the host cell to stop it from reproducing. (4)

5. Combat Inflammation

Anasazi beans health benefits include reducing inflammation in the body that can lead to illness and disease. Inflammation is often the underlying problem at the core of many health conditions. Research has shown that people who eat high-fiber diets have lower C-reactive protein or CRP levels in their blood. CRP is an inflammation marker that has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Anasazi beans health benefits include reduced inflammation levels thanks to the high amount of fiber they contains. They work to lower CRP levels, increase helpful bacteria in the body and lower body weight.