10 Health Benefits of Rajma, Red Kidney Beans

1. Rich in Magnesium : One cup of cooked kidney beans has 26.2% of your daily Magnesium requirements. Magnesium helps in formation of bones and teeth and metabolism of calcium and potassium. Try the unique Rajma Dhokla when you have time on hand.

Rajma Dhokla

2. Lowers Cholesterol : Rajma is a complex carb and rich in Fibre which helps in Lowering Cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre may reduce the absorption of cholesterol. Hence lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) therefore reducing the risk of heart disease. Soluble fibre creates the bile in the intestine to excreted in the stool.

The body needs cholesterol to make bile salts and hence the liver produces more LDL. So more bile salts made in the liver will result in more LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) being pulled out of the blood stream. So eat more soluble fibre. The colourful Mexican Rajma Bean Sprouts and Lettuce tossed in Guacamole Dressing is a recipe in which you can benefit from the antioxidant effect of avocados too. These work towards a healthy heart. Read more benefits of avocado.

Mexican Rajma, Bean Sprouts and Lettuce Tossed in Guacamole Dressing

3. Good for Skin : Zinc helps in building immunity, is good for skin, great Antioxidant and involved in adding glow to your skin while preventing the wrinkles when rajma is had in the form of Carrot Cucumber and Rajma Salad in Mint Dressing.

Carrot Cucumber and Rajma Salad in Mint Dressing

4. Good for Diabetics : Rajma is a complex carb with a Glycemic Index of 29 which is low. Low Glycemic index and its high fibre count will slow down the release of sugar thereby keeping you fuller for a longer time. So eating rajma is good for diabetics.

Only remember to avoid using too much oil when cooking with this healthy ingredient, especially while making snacks, like we have shown in the recipe of Rajma Tikki Satay with Spring Onion Dip.

Rajma Tikki Satay with Spring Onion Dip

5. Controls Blood Pressure : There is 15% of Potassium daily requirement in one cup of cooked Rajma. Potassium is critical for those with High Blood Pressure as it lessens the impact of sodium. Eating more Potassium Rich Foods will remove more sodium from your body through urine.

So if you are suffering from High Blood Pressure and taking medication, then the medicine works by taking out the sodium and potassium from the kidneys. So you need to up your Potassium intake in this case. Fruits and vegetables are a very good source of potassium. Rajma Salad is a great way to add in fiber and potassium both. Just remember to control the amount of salt being added in the recipe as per the permissible amount prescribed for you by your doctor.

Rajma Salad Healthy Rajma Salad

6. Makes Bones Strong : There is 13% of Calcium daily requirement in one cup of cooked Rajma. Calcium is a mineral that makes bones stay strong. The human body consistently remove small amounts of calcium from our bones and that has to be topped up with Calcium rich foods.

Calcium is a necessity for all … right from a newborn to an aged person, as the body’s need for calcium actually increases as one gets older. Try a one dish meal like Healthy Bean Quesadilla.

Healthy Bean Quesadilla

7. Gives you more Energy : Rajma is Iron rich. Iron is an important nutrient for our body and for our health. It helps our cells "breathe". Iron is essential in the chemical reactions that produce energy from foods. Try combining rajma with a common green leafy vegetable like spinach to make healthy Rajma Spinach Soup.

Rajma and Spinach Soup ( Soups and Salads Recipe )

8. Keeps you leaner : Being rich in Soluble Fibre , Rajma will keep you fuller for a longer time and will prevent you on binge eating. Opt for Rajma Bean Sprouts and Spring Onion Salad in between meals or accompany it with a bowl of clear soup to make a weight loss dinner.

Rajma, Bean Sprouts and Spring Onion Salad

9. Good for your Eyes : Zinc is essential to treat night blindness. Zinc helps in the activity of an enzyme in our body that helps produce Vitamin A , which is useful in treating night blindness.

A colourful platter like in the recipe of Rajma Healthy Vegetable Lunch Salad is sure to please your eyes and benfit your body.

Rajma Vegetable Healthy Lunch Salad, One Dish Meal

10. Powerhouse of Protein : Rajma abounds in protein. A cup of rajma gives 17.1 gm of protein which helps in the maintenance of every cell and tissue of our body. It’s a remarkable substitute to protein brimming non-veg foods when consumed in the form of Rajma and Urad Dal.