All beans and peas can help lower blood pressure due to their high content of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Canned versions provide the same benefit as fresh, as long as they do not contain added sugar, fat or salt.
Baked beans are a source of protein and are high in fibre, so are not a bad choice, especially on wholegrain toast or a jacket potato. But they do contain salt and sugar. Too much salt over time can contribute to high blood pressure, while sugar adds energy (calories) without any other nutritional value.
Nutritious and versatile, beans (including black, white, navy, lima, pinto, and kidney) are chock-full of soluble fiber, magnesium, and potassium, all excellent ingredients for lowering blood pressure and improving overall heart health.
Baked beans can be healthy as part of a balanced diet — but there are important things to note. Baked beans found in cans, such as Heinz, contain added salt and sugar that are a significant amount of the recommended daily intake.
Heinz Five Beans
Using five different beans — pinto, cannellini, borlotti and red kidney beans as well as the usual baked bean variety, haricot — means a greater variety of nutrients and fibre types (to feed your good gut bacteria).
They also contain minerals such as iron and zinc, and are a good source of B vitamins such as folate. Including beans and pulses in your diet is also associated with a lower cardiovascular risk and may help balance blood sugar levels.
Canned beans: Baked beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein, but most of the time they are also high in salt. One cup of canned baked beans has more than 1,000 milligrams of sodium. A cup of homemade baked beans has about the same, unless you prepare a low-salt recipe.
Canned baked beans are used as a convenience food; most are made from haricot beans in sauce. They may be eaten hot or cold, and straight from the can, as they are fully cooked.
Beverages like skim milk, tomato juice, and beet juice may help decrease blood pressure. But it's always important to remember moderation — more of these drinks is not always better.
Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, which also plays a role in lowering blood pressure. One caveat to consuming tomato-based products—be cognizant of the sodium content. Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and tomato juice can all be high in sodium.
All beans and peas can help lower blood pressure due to their high content of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Canned versions provide the same benefit as fresh, as long as they do not contain added sugar, fat or salt.
According to Macrobiotic nutritionists and health practitioner Shilpa Arora says, "high potassium food items should be encouraged for high BP. Potatoes, beets, carrots, oranges and bananas are excellent food choices." Potassium negates ill effects of sodium, by eliminating sodium through your urine.
Whether canned or dried, eaten alone or mixed in a salad or soup, beans are a great source of protein and fiber — and they are one of the best heart-healthy additions you can make to your meals.
Beans used for Baked Beans
Navy beans, also known as Haricot Beans, are the beans used in commercially produced canned baked beans. They are white beans that are slightly smaller than Cannellini beans. However, any small to medium beans will work just fine here.
Bramwells Baked Beans No Added Sugar & Reduced Salt 410g.
P eople worried about ultra-processed foods should not dismiss beans on toast as part of a healthy, balanced diet, nutritionists have said.
And, despite being considered unhealthy for years, top nutritionists this week gave beans on toast their backing. It can form part of a healthy diet — even though both components are technically ultra-processed foods, according to the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).
I'd say they do between 2 and 4 people as a side with other things or possibly like amused says as a big beans on toast meal. If we have any left over they usually go in the freezer to end up in chilli. I will eat a whole large tin if using for a make do dinner for myself with toast and cheese.
“Plants do not contain cholesterol and are usually low in saturated fat so vegetables and other plant-based foods should feature regularly in a diet to lower cholesterol,” said Heart UK. One plant-based food that can help lower cholesterol is baked beans. This is because baked beans are a source of soluble fibre.
If you're looking for a better-for-you Baked Bean that still brings the flavor goods, look no further than Bush's® Less Sugar & Sodium Sweet & Tangy Baked Beans, with 25% less sugar and sodium (than Bush's® Vegetarian Baked Beans) and more tang than the original.