Ever since time immemorial, various legumes have entered the human diet. Haricot is considered one of the oldest cultures, and today also the most common in the world. At the same time, pods (asparagus, French, green hand) beans were used in cooking only in the 16th century. Unripe green beans are softer and softer than usual, they have not only good culinary characteristics, but also a number of useful properties.
Calorie and chemical composition
One of the main competitive advantages of green beans is its low calorie and low in saturated fat. With all the variety of nutrients in asparagus calories really small - only 24-31 kcal / 100 g
However, the dietary quality of the product is not all the beneficial properties of green beans. The high content of trace elements and minerals, vitamins and flavonoids makes the product mandatory to use at any time of the year. Vitamins of groups B, C, E, A, fiber and minerals - all this is part of the asparagus and has a positive effect on your health and appearance.
Important! It is in the green beans contain easily digestible vegetable protein, which makes the product indispensable for vegetarians of any kind. When the body is saturated with proteins and amino acids, your diet will remain balanced despite the limited consumption of meat and dairy products.
The composition of asparagus, of course, speaks about its benefits:
- It is in French beans that there is a rather rare naphthoquinone or vitamin K, which normalizes blood clotting, helps to absorb calcium, but also protects blood vessels from calcification.
- Asparagus is rich in fiber - 9 mg / 100 g. It is this substance that helps remove toxins and lower cholesterol levels in the body. A low glycemic index (15 units) makes the product not only useful, but also accessible to people with diabetes of any kind.
- The presence of vitamin A and antioxidants in green beans makes it possible to add a binding of free radicals to the list of its beneficial properties, that is, to delay the aging process.
- High levels of folic acid makes asparagus an important menu item for pregnant women. It is this food element that is responsible in our body for DNA synthesis and prevents the occurrence of a number of congenital diseases of the fetus.
- Carotene and carotenoid group have a beneficial effect on the eyes. It is necessary to highlight zeaxanthin, which is also available in green beans. This element is absorbed by the retina and protects it from exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is the lack of this substance that often causes age spots on the cornea.
- The presence of a wide range of vitamins, in particular B6, B1 and C, as well as macronutrients (iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese) improves immunity, has a positive effect on the vascular and reproductive systems.
High levels of fiber can also boast: white currant, tomatoes, squash, broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke, beans, lemon, spinach, celery, Brussels sprouts.
It is worth knowing that asparagus can be found green and yellow, depending on the stage of maturity of the fruit. Of course, the composition of green beans in both cases will be the same, except for the greater oiliness of the yellow variety. 
What is good for the body?
Green beans are called vegetables of eternal youth. This statement occurs, in particular, because of vitamin A. The binding of free radicals prevents aging of the body, improves the body’s resistance to various viruses and infections.
Add here the presence of manganese, responsible for skin elasticity, as well as low calorie content for a slim body - this is what we get a vegetable, taking care of our beauty. In addition to the aesthetic benefits of green beans, it also possesses also quite medicinal properties:
- Effect on the digestive tract. Any product with a high content of fiber is a kind of scrubbing agent for the intestines, literally cleansing it, improving motility. Protein saturation allows you to balance the diet, in particular, for vegetarians (do not consume meat products) and people with increased physical activity (need increased protein intake for muscle growth). It is worth remembering that our body practically does not produce the protein itself, and its consumption is vital for absolutely everyone.
- Circulatory system. Vitamin K normalizes blood clotting, allows calcium to be absorbed. The presence of potassium helps to normalize blood pressure and pulse, and iron saturates cells with oxygen. Asparagus is highly indicated for anemia, since molybdenum in the bean composition improves the blood composition and stimulates the formation of red blood cells.
- Hormonal system. Green beans are strongly recommended for regular use for people with diabetes, as well as insulin resistance. Slows the metabolism of carbohydrates, prevents sudden jumps in sugar levels. This effect is achieved due to fiber and arginine (insulin analogue).
Did you know?Useful properties of green beans were evaluated in antiquity. Cleopatra herself used asparagus as the main ingredient in various face and body masks. Alignment of the skin, strengthening of blood vessels, cell regeneration - this is the effect on bean masks.
- Before and during pregnancy. Asparagus is rich in folic acid, which is indispensable for pregnant women. It is this acid that is involved in the process of cell division, DNA synthesis and is the prevention of the occurrence of neural tube defects in a child.
- Genitourinary system. Since asparagus has a diuretic effect, it removes stones, cleans the kidneys and regulates the salt balance, even improves sexual function.
- Muscle frame. Due to the increased activity of enzymes, copper is good not only for vessels, but also for joints. In particular, green beans are recommended to be used for inflammation of the joints (bursitis).
- Vascular system. Copper in asparagus improves vascular elasticity and reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases.
- Nervous system. By relaxing the muscular and nervous systems, magnesium can alleviate the symptoms of diseases such as asthma or migraines.
- Immunity. The presence of antioxidants, vitamins binds free radicals and strengthens the immune system.
- Vision. The carotenoid group protects your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays, is a prophylaxis of GMR (age-related macular degeneration).
Use in cooking: what to cook
First of all, let's talk about how to choose this very string bean. Perfect Asparagus has a smooth color, quite elastic, not wet. If it is wrinkled, dry, stained, wet - better to refrain from buying.
The shelf life of the product is not more than a week. However, fresh pods can be washed, dried, packaged and placed in a freezer. Thus, the shelf life will increase to six months, and you will always have fresh vitamins on hand.
Features of the preparation of green beans is speed and simplicity. These sweet beans do not tolerate long-term heat treatment - it does not make sense to blanch them for more than 4-5 minutes. In addition, no tricks are required, except for standard washing and optional cutting.
Did you know? In order for the beans not to lose their green or yellow color when cooking, it is necessary to fry the vegetables for a couple of minutes and then quickly transfer them to a bowl with ice or ice water. Thus, the vegetables will be cooked, but the disadvantages of heat treatment can be avoided.It is worth remembering that the darker the pods, the harder the texture, the longer you need to prepare the dish. Young pods can be prepared in just a few minutes, while yellow takes more time.
If you rarely use beans, do not know how to cook green beans, you will enjoy the variety and diversity of recipes with it. Asparagus can be a side dish, replacing the usual porridge, pasta and potatoes. 
You can also make an interesting main course from asparagus, use it as an ingredient in a salad or soup. Pay attention: if the green beans are digested, it will not only lose its beneficial properties, but also become tasteless and grayish.
Important! Asparagus can not be eaten raw! It contains the fezin toxin, which is harmful to humans. Any heat treatment neutralizes this substance, so do not neglect this rule.We offer you one of the recipes - fried green beans with tomatoes. Ingredients (4 servings):
- green beans 400-500 g;
- tomatoes - 2 pcs .;
- onion - 1 pc .;
- olive oil;
- herbs, greens.
Knead the contents of the pan, fry for another 3-4 minutes. Add beans, salt, pepper and bring to a boil. After boiling, make the fire minimal and cover with a lid. Stir occasionally. Preparation time - 20 minutes. Sprinkle with herbs and serve hot.
For successful cultivation of beans it is necessary to choose the type and variety of this vegetable.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Asparagus is very useful, so its constant use allows you to improve the condition of the body. However, there are recipes for traditional medicine to achieve faster results. in the treatment of certain diseases:
- With diabetes. Asparagus juice is extremely useful. Make fresh juice from asparagus, carrot, lettuce and brussels sprouts. This cocktail stimulates insulin production and normalizes blood sugar.
- With bursitis. If you have a joint inflamed, it is worthwhile to actively draw on the use of green beans, include it in your daily diet. Copper and antioxidants actively reduce inflammation and accelerate the process of joint repair.
- For the pancreas. Make a decoction of the husk: poured the pods with boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 times / day for 30 minutes. before meals.
- Night mask for the face. Beans clean, boil and grind. In the mush add honey, vegetable oil and sea buckthorn juice. Cool and apply on clean face for 20-25 minutes. To do before bedtime, rinse with warm water.
Blanks for winter
If the green beans came to your taste, it makes sense to do its freezing for the winter. Asparagus is easy to freeze. There are two main recipes for freezing the product - for young green beans or for the one that has already managed to dry.
You can freeze young asparagus without heat treatment and quickly enough. To do this, wash the legumes, prune cuttings, cut and let the beans dry after washing. Next, pack up the asparagus in batches and put in the freezer. Done!
Learn more about the recipes for harvesting asparagus beans.
If your asparagus has already dried, the recipe will be a little more difficult. Just as in the previous version, my asparagus, prune the cuttings and cut. At this time, bring the water in the pan, throw our beans there, turn off the fire and leave it for 2-3 minutes. We collect another water tank, throw ice cubes and blanched beans (soaked in boiling water) there. After 10 minutes, get the pods, give dry, packaged in packages and put in the freezer.
In both cases, we retain all the nutrients, vitamins, as well as the taste and color of the beans. Ready frozen vegetables can lie in the refrigerator for up to six months. When re-frozen beans not only becomes dark, but also losing vitamins and trace elements, it becomes almost useless.
Read also about how to prepare tomatoes, sorrel, horseradish, parsnip, pepper, spinach, zucchini, arugula, dill, celery, eggplant, parsley, mint, green peas, cranberries.
Contraindications and harm
The fact that there is a lot of cellulose in a string bean is not only a useful property, but also carries certain disadvantages. Constant overuse of green beans may cause heaviness in the stomach, bloating.
Pay attention: normal fiber intake helps the body to remove the excess and absorb useful things, while its excess prevents the assimilation of vitamins and microelements, may cause hypovitaminosis.
It is also not necessary to lean on high-fiber foods for people with inflammatory diseases of the large intestine. Doctors recommend at all to limit the use of raw vegetables and fruits, so as not to provoke exacerbation. 
Summarizing, we can say that asparagus is incredibly good for health and beauty. There are many recipes and traditional medicine, it is convenient to store, freeze for the winter and preserve green beans. Make a variety in your diet, saturate the body with nutrients throughout the year.
