A tinned food costing merely 49p could provide significant benefits for those seeking to reduce cholesterol levels and manage their appetite, a weight loss expert has shared.
Professor Franklin Joseph shared several reasons why butter beans are an exceptionally cost-effective option for improving heart health and controlling weight.
These legumes, sometimes called lima beans, contain minimal fat whilst offering substantial amounts of fibre and complex carbohydrates that digest slowly, the founder of Dr Frank's Weight Loss Clinic explained.
His findings align with dietary habits observed in the world's longest-living communities, where beans feature as a regular component of daily meals.
GETTY
|Stirring butter beans into a salad or soup could have a real impact
The mechanism behind these health benefits lies in the beans' soluble fibre content, which Professor Joseph describes as particularly effective.
"It's the soluble fibre in beans that really makes a difference," he explained. "It binds to cholesterol in the gut and helps remove it from the body before it enters the bloodstream."
This same fibre component serves a dual purpose by slowing the digestive process and maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
The result is prolonged satiety that helps prevent unnecessary snacking between meals.
"The slow-release carbs and fibre work together to reduce hunger hours after eating," Professor Joseph noted.
The expert pointed out that consuming approximately 100 grams daily, equivalent to roughly half a standard tin, leads to noticeable health improvements.
This modest portion proves most effective when incorporated into a diverse diet based primarily on whole foods.
"People often think they need fancy supplements or expensive superfoods to improve their health," Professor Joseph stated.
"But something as basic as butter beans, stirred into a soup or added to a salad, can make a real impact."
The beans' mild flavour allows for numerous culinary applications.
"They soak up flavour beautifully," Professor Joseph added. "Mash them onto toast, toss them through pasta or blend them into a creamy sauce - they're as versatile as they are good for you."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
GETTY
|Tinned pulses represent one of the most economical methods for obtaining fibre
Residents of Blue Zone regions, renowned for exceptional longevity, incorporate beans into their meals almost every day and consistently rank amongst the healthiest populations globally.
These communities demonstrate superior cardiovascular health outcomes linked to their bean-rich diets.
Within Britain, tinned pulses such as butter beans represent one of the most economical methods for obtaining fibre that reduces cholesterol.
Major retailers, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, stock these legumes for approximately 49p per tin.
This pricing makes butter beans amongst the most accessible dietary improvements available to British consumers seeking better health outcomes without significant expense.