Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit….

According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer, beans may offer some protection for pre-menopausal women against developing breast cancer. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston examined data received from 90,000 women regarding their dietary habits. Women who ate beans and lentils at least twice a week had a 24% lower risk of developing breast cancer, compared with women who ate beans and lentils less than once a month.

A second study was conducted that examined the link between breast cancer and the glycemic index, as well as other factors in the diets of about 50,000 Canadian women. The glycemic index of a particular food varies based upon how it is processed and prepared. For the most part, foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, vegetables and fruit, have a better glycemic rating than more processed or starchy foods. The results of this study were a little unusual.   Researchers found that there was no link between the glycemic index and breast cancer in the general population. Where it seemed to matter was in postmenopausal women. They found that postmenopausal women with diets that had a high glycemic index had an 87% greater risk of breast cancer.

As with most studies, additional research must be conducted before any definitive conclusions can be made. But it sounds like adding a few more servings of beans and lentils to your weekly diet may not be a bad idea!