Will beans help you fight fatigue?

To bean or not to bean…

A lot of people who suffer with fatigue in menopause will grab for a cup of coffee before setting off to work, or will knock back an energy drink in their lunch break, but surprisingly this is not a smart move. Caffeine stimulants will only give you short boosts of energy, and will actually result in you being more tired and weaker in the long run. Stop relying on artificial highs and start making changes to your diet that will allow your body to fight fatigue naturally.

Everybody knows the rhyme about beans and the unfortunate effect they have on your body…but there is a lot more about beans to “trumpet” about than just that. Adding beans help you fight fatigue and the seemingly insurmountably obstacles that come with it.

WHY will beans help fight off fatigue?

It is the nutritional content of a bean that makes it so effective in fighting fatigue. Although the bean comes in many different varieties, all are low in fat, have a high source of fiber and give a good balance of carbohydrates and protein. So, why is it that this combination is so fantastic in combating the exhausting effects of fatigue?

Stops any dips in energy.

Fiber will stabilize the blood sugar in the body which will prevent dips in energy levels. This means that energy levels remain balanced which is not the case if you drink stimulants like coffee and energy drinks.

Alternative source of protein.

Beans provide a good amount of protein and are an alternative to red meat. This will help alleviate fatigue because beans are a much lighter source of food and therefore the digestive system doesn’t have to work so hard to process it. You will feel more tired after eating a heavy steak.

Packed with essential energy producing nutrients.

As well as fiber, protein and carbohydrates, beans contain magnesium and iron, which also aid in fighting fatigue. Magnesium keeps the blood circulating properly which reduces muscle fatigue and iron eases fatigue by producing energy and then ensuring it is distributed evenly around the body.

Keep the bowels working properly.

Fiber is an essential food type for keeping the bowels functioning properly. Women who suffer with fatigue in menopause can often suffer with constipation too because they haven’t got the energy to exercise which will keep the food moving through the intestines. Beans are the perfect food choice for combating this problem and keeping bowel movements regular.

WHAT beans?

The good news is that there are so many varieties of beans that you can never get bored (within reason, of course!) and this is why they are part of the staple diet in many parts of the world. Any bean that you find in your local store will be beneficial in providing a balanced diet. No bean is a bad choice but some are more nutritional than others so it is always worth checking the label, particularly if you want to stay away from high levels of one particular nutrient. For example, kidney beans have a higher amount of iron than other beans. Perhaps have a vary your selection so you can make up different tasting meals, because all have unique flavors. However you chose to enjoy beans, try to consume half a cup to a full cup of beans a day. They can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner and even make for a tasty snack, too.

More information about fatigue:

Fatigue is a common symptom of menopause and will leave women feeling a prolonged sense of tiredness and weakness and they will have little or no energy. It can have a disruptive effect on a person’s work and social life so should be alleviated as quickly and as efficiently as possible. To find out more about the treatments for fatigue, follow this link.

To learn more about Fatigue