APRIL Newsletter

Your Market Produce
Buying Club

MAY 2010 Newsletter

Facts About Green Beans
Article by AngelaC on Brighthub

There are many facts about green beans that you many not know. For example, the health benefits of green beans include preventing cancer and boosting your immune system. Green beans are also one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Keep reading to find out more about all the facts about green beans.
green beans-artistic

Green beans are also known as string beans and snap beans. One little known fact about green beans is that, unlike shell beans such as black beans and kidney beans, a green bean's entire bean, pod and seed, can be eaten. Select fresh beans that are crisp and brightly colored. They are too old if they are leathery or bulging. Green beans are generally available year round with peak season from April through September.

Green beans are very versatile and can be eaten as a healthy raw snack or cooked in a variety of ways. Always be sure to trim the ends and remove any strings before eating.

One of the best facts about green beans is that the many health benefits they provide you with. Green beans contain high amounts of the essential vitamins A, C and K, fiber, folic acid, potassium. Vitamins A and C are both antioxidants that work together reducing free radicals in your body. The high fiber content makes green beans a great source to help control blood sugar levels and keep your digestive system in good working order. Folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells and is also important to help prevent anemia during pregnancy.

The variety of vitamins and nutrients in green beans help prevent many health problems. Adding more green beans to your diet can help prevent hardening of the arteries which leads to heart attacks and strokes. The high level of potassium helps lower blood pressure. The high fiber content may help prevent colon cancer by binding to cancer-causing toxins and removing them from the body before they can harm colon cells. In addition, green beans can help reduce inflammation from diseases such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
green bean plant

Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables to grow at home because they are easy to take care of and the plants produce lots of beans. One of the most important facts about growing green bean in your home garden is that you will need to first soak your seeds for about 30 minutes. This helps the outer shell soften so the bean can sprout easier.
While the seeds are soaking, you can make in a trenches in your garden about an inch deep. Then place the soaked green bean seeds in soil about 6-inches apart. Lightly cover the seeds. Water the plants about once a week at the roots.
In about 8 to 10 days they will start sprouting. You can harvest the beans when the pods are crisp and firm and snap easily when broken in two. Be sure to harvest the beans when the plants are dry and before the pods start bulging in order to retain all the health benefits of green beans. Handle the plants with care and they will continue to flourish.

Look for beans with a snap. If you can tie the green bean in a knot, it's not fresh. Instead, look for green beans that snap when you bend them.

Make sure the beans are hidden. If you can see the beans through the pod, this means that the product is old and the pods have shriveled. You should only see a vague bump where the beans are hidden under the pod.

Choose pods that have a bright green color. Green beans should have a beautiful green color. Just like other types of produce, the color will tell you a lot about the freshness of the product.