Health Benefits of Sitaw

Rose May Pimentel in Health

Sep 08, 2021 • 3 min Read

String beans or sitaw is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables in the world and one of the most popular vegetables in the Philippines.

String beans are versatile and a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a nutritious addition to our diet whether blanched, sauteed, or even from the can. The most popular Pinoy dish using sitaw as an ingredient is the adobong sitaw.

Here are some of the amazing health benefits of this delicious, fat-free, and low-calorie veggie from Organic Facts:

1. Reduces Heart Diseases

String beans may help reduce the risk of heart diseases due to their high levels of flavonoids. Test subjects with high flavonoid levels experienced anti-thrombotic results and preventing blood clots in the arteries and veins. The incorporation of string beans in your diet may help mitigate cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, and strokes that are commonly caused by thrombotic activity.

2. Manages Diabetes

A study on plant foods at the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India claims that string beans are one of the vegetables known to have a definitive hypoglycemic influence on patients with diabetes. Natural regulators of diabetes are rare, so the connection of string beans and similar plants to the control of diabetes is great news for many.

3. Boosts Immunity

The possible presence of various immune system-boosting antioxidants in string beans is well known. Antioxidants are beneficial compounds in our body that seek out dangerous free radicals before they can cause illness or tissue damage. String beans can be a good source of carotenoids and flavonoids. Carotenoids found in green beans containing antioxidants like beta carotene and lutein while Flavonoids contain basic antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol, epicatechin, and catechin that can be associated with reducing the severity of strokes.

4. Regulates Digestive Function

The high fiber content of string beans can positively impact the digestive system, easing the digestive process, and promoting bowel movements, which may decrease the stress on the bowel walls. By keeping enough fiber in our diets, we can ease certain digestive issues like constipation, hemorrhoids, ulcers, and acid reflux disease. In a normal 110 grams serving of string beans, you may gain 15 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber.

5. Fertility and Pregnancy

According to a study in the Harvard Medical School, the consumption of healthy foods like string beans may increase fertility as these foods are a powerhouse of various nutrients. String beans can be a great source of folic acid, which may play a key role in several internal processes, but none are more important than protecting infants in the womb. Folic acid levels in a woman’s body are vital to the normal and healthy development of the fetus. String beans may provide an easy and delicious way to keep folic acid levels high and ensure a healthy and happy baby.

6. Eye Care

Carotenoids found in string beans may prevent macular degeneration and can prevent any stress to the inner workings of the eye.

7. Improve Bone Health

String beans might be abundant in vitamin K, calcium, and silicone. These vitamins and minerals can be vital in preventing bone deterioration and osteoporosis.

Start including this super veggie in your daily diet and enjoy its benefits!

Stay healthy and safe!