India, Nov. 17 -- Beans are often recognized as an affordable, versatile, and planet-friendly food. They easily grow anywhere, fix the soil with nitrogen, require far less land and water than animal protein. With over 400 edible varieties, beans are used in soups, salads, curries, and even creamy sauces. Despite their benefits, many people do not eat enough of them. In the US, less than 20% of adults consume the recommended half cup of beans a day, and in the UK, over 40% of people eat no beans at all.

So how healthy are beans really? According to nutrition experts - very healthy. Registered sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani calls beans a "true nutritional powerhouse." A cup of cooked beans has around 18g of protein, which is about a third ...