Abstract

SERRANO, José  and  GONI, Isabel. Effects of black bean Phaseolus vulgar consumption on the nutritional status of Guatemalan population. ALAN [online]. 2004, vol.54, n.1, pp.36-44. ISSN 2309-5806.

SUMMARY.  Guatemala provides an example of epidemiological superposition. in which health problems typical of developed countries and developing countries are both observed. Nutritional deficiencies in some micronutrients like vitamin A and iron coexist alongside chronic diseases such as diabetes type II and cardiovascular diseases. The importance of black beans in normal Guatemala diet is well known:70g per capita of black beans in the are consumed daily. Black beans are an important sources of protein and energy in the diet. They contain "lente" digestion carbohydrates and a high proportion of non-digested carbohydrates that may be fermented in the large intestine. Theses types of carbohydrates associated with a low glycemic response, low serum cholesterol levels, and a decrease of colon cancer risk factors. These physiological effects may be related to colonic fermentation end products (propionic and butyric acids). Black beans also contain several antinutritional compounds (enzymatic inhibitor, haemaglutenins, saponins and phytic acid, etc.), some of them thermolabiles that are partially eliminated during culinary processes and may modify the nutritional quality of beans. Black beans play a crucial role in the etiology of several diseases in Guatemala.

Keywords : Black beans; nutritional status; glycemic carbohydrates; non glycemic carbohydrates; dietary fibre; protein; antinutritional factors.