Health benefits of Borlotti or Cranberry Beans

Borlotti beans are also known as Cranberry beans which are bred in Italy for thicker skin. These beans have different names according to the country. In Italy, it is called borlotti and they are also called French Horticultural beans. They are off white in color with red streaks. 

Dried borlotti beans will look similar to kidney beans Fresh and dried beans are available in the market. Fresh beans will be available during winter season and you can get dried one form supermarkets. Fresh borlotti beans will look large beige with red color with a shell outside and it should be used within a week after refrigerating. 

Dried beans can be kept for longer period. Borlotti beans will give a nutty flavor when cooked. After cooking, the color will change to a shade of brown by giving a slightly chalky and creamy texture. If the beans are brought with their shell then first you have to remove the shell from the beans and can cook directly. And if it is packed and shelled dry beans then you have to soak it overnight before cooking. The taste of cooked beans is compared to chestnuts. Cooked beans are often used in salads. They are mostly used in Italian and Portuguese cuisine. In the US, it is known in the name cranberry beans and in our country they are also referred as French horticultural beans.


Health Benefits 
Helps Builds Muscles
The Borlotti bean is full of protein, which is an essential nutrient which helps form the structural component of body tissues and building muscle. It is classified as a high-quality protein, because the bean contains all of the nine essential amino acids that can only be obtained through consumption. One cup of Borletti beans contains 17 grams of protein.

Low in glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) ranks food and drinks based on their blood sugar increase potential. Foods high on the glycemic index (such as white rice and white bread) will break down easily and cause blood sugar and insulin level spikes after meals, which is followed by rapidly dropping blood sugar levels. Borlotti beans are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, which prevents sugar crashes, sugar cravings, and mood swings. From a scale of 0 to 250, borlotti beans have a rating of 14 on the glycemic index scale.

Borlotti Beans help the digestive system.
Borlotti beans are high in dietary fiber. One cup contains approximately 18 grams of fiber. The daily recommended dietary fiber intake for men and women are 38 grams and 25 grams, respectively. Fiber aids prevents constipation, making one’s bowel movement more regular. Also, soluble fiber may help reduce one’s appetite.

Borlotti Beans can improve one’s nervous system.
Some vitamins like folate play a critical in the regulation of specific amino acids that the nervous system requires. Studies have shown that a deficient amount of dietary folate can increase the homocysteine levels, which can be a dangerous precursor to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. One cup of Borlotti beans contains 92 percent of the daily recommended value of folate.

Borlotti Beans are helpful for pregnant women and their babies.
Folate has also shown to help in neural tube formation and red blood cell formation in prenatal babies. A deficiency of folic acid in pregnant women can lead to the birth of underweight infants and may also result in neural tube defects in newborns.

Borlotti Beans can help maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Borlotti beans have a very high content of potassium and a low content of sodium. One cup of Borlotti beans contains an enormous 685 milligrams of potassium, compared to 1.8 milligrams of sodium. Folate also contributes to the reduction of hypertension and relaxes blood vessels, while maintaining proper blood flow.

 Borlotti Beans can help with blood formation.
Copper and Iron are essential for the new blood cell formation. One cup of Borlotti beans contains 21 percent and 20 percent of the recommended value of iron and copper, respectively. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia.