Giving it to you RAW: Why Cook Black Beans?

It feels like a thousand dull daggers are poking at my stomach and lower abdomen as I document this experience, but there’s nothing like the present moment.  [Shaking my head] I was sitting at my desk after eating a late lunch, when suddenly my sacral area became nauseated and I felt mildly lightheaded. My instant reaction was to go for my **glass water bottle. [We tend to have this notion that drinking a swig or two of water will even out any discomfort] In this case, the water was only filling my belly up more on top of the food I had just eaten. I continued working and pondering what was bringing about such physical discomfort.

[PeaxandLove] Tip - Invest in a glass water bottle! – Did you know recycling a glass water bottle is a sustainable and safe way to consume H20 on the go. Glass better protects your water from the phthalates in plastic bottles. Phthalates are used as plasticizers, making plastics more flexible and inert. BBP (phthalates) in plastic can be activated by heat. Plastic bottles left in high temperatures (e.g. in the car on a sunny day) can be harmful. Perhaps the plastic bottles were stored in a hot warehouse before purchase. Where has your plastic water bottle been?

I remember about a month back the lovely Mrs. Johnson (Brooke’s mom) tried her hand at preparing a RAW meal for us. [Since Buudha (Brooke) and I have made so many lifestyle changes many of our friends and family members have been receptive in accommodating our needs and helping themselves to a healthier lifestyle.] Mrs. Johnson whipped up some RAW Black Bean Veggie Patties- sounds delicious right? Well, they were! Made with ground black beans, garlic, peppers, onions, herbs, spices, and love; we were sold on the patties. I can recall enveloping each patty in lettuce and decorating it with tomato sauce, red cabbage, and red onions. After eating the tasty entree, Brooke began complaining about sharp stomach pains. We both felt rather “woozy” and dehydrated. We assumed it was something we'd eaten prior to; maybe the order in which we had eaten our meals that day; or perhaps we were eating too many dehydrated RAW options. Buudha had [diarrhea] profusely for the next 24, yet we overlooked the black beans from the RAW patties; and I took two for lunch the next day. It never gave me any discomfort except a slight dehydration and lethargic feel after consumption. I assumed it was because Buudha and I were not drinking enough water. This is very important, especially when eating dehydrated foods because the water will be taken from your body. [When putting RAW meals in a dehydrator it is absorbing moisture from the food, while leaving all of the enzymes and nutrients intact. Therefore the dehydrated foods are absorbing moisture from you, so it’s important to rehydrate with water frequently throughout the day.]

I talked to Brooke before leaving work and told her of my discomfort. She always sources it back to what was eaten during the day. Today I had a pear and banana for breakfast; a bowl of RAW oatmeal with sliced apples and banana, cinnamon, and maple syrup midday; and two RAW Zucchini Black Bean Cakes for lunch- nothing unusual. We were both in the car analyzing and associated the incident from the RAW Black Bean Veggie Patties with the Zucchini Black Bean Cakes I’d had for lunch. [Those damn RAW Black Beans] Before we made it halfway to DC for dance class I was regurgitating in my mouth. [Gross] I was trying to pump brakes safely and fast enough so I wouldn't vomit on myself or the inside of the vehicle. Stopping swift on East Capitol St., Brooke hit the emergency flashers and Boom- I flung open the driver’s door and puked an array of colors in the street. [Still disturbingly gross] When I brought my head back up for air, Brooke noticed my face was flushed with red hives or some sort of rash. Buudha pulled out her handy dandy Android and begin to Google some quick “on the go” answers. As she read aloud, I stopped the car in the middle of the street to detoxify again. Here’s what we found:

Reaction from the Raw Black Beans

Black Beans and other [larger] legumes, such as Red/White Kidney Beans (highly recommended NOT to eat these RAW- as little as five kidney beans can have a mal effect), Great Northern Beans,  and Lima beans should NEVER be eaten RAW. All RAW beans have natural toxicity levels. This toxic protein is commonly known as Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), a bean lectin.  [Lectin is a glycoprotein in various plant based foods, particularly in the seeds of the plant. It can be harmful or beneficial in most cases.] PHA is known to be an insecticide for plants to remain unattractive to pest, but it is also poisonous to humans. We are unable to digest this protein, so our digestive tracks spend 4 to 5 hours purging after consumption. Nausea, Diarrhea, and vomiting are some side effects.  The main function of the small intestine is to absorb minerals and nutrients. What happens is PHA deactivates the epithelial cells, which expand the surface are for absorption in the small intestine. This makes digestion of RAW Black Beans fallible.

On the flip side, soaking Black Beans (or any of the beans I listed above) for several hours- usually 4 to 5 - discarding the water, and boiling the beans for at least 10 minutes,  will deactivate the concentration PHA- degrading the toxicity to safer levels for consumption.  

Because I’m an herbivore and NEVER intentionally welcome toxins into my body (e.g. processed foods, refined carbohydrates- white sugar, salt, bread, rice, potatoes, etc), my body was able to react and detox quickly from the symptoms. Every human body will react differently (e.g. when we were both uninformed of PHA, Brooke’s system purged from the uncooked Black Bean patties, but mine did not).   

Mrs. Johnson was pleased to hear she could use her lovely “cooking” skills to prepare the remainder of the Organic Black Beans on top of the stove- with the heat on (lol). She was sure to season the beans to vegan and wellness perfection. Even after the poor experience, I was consuming cooked black beans the next day- shamelessly. I took revenge on about three bowls of Black Beans [Overdose] that night, or maybe they took revenge on me for the next 24 hours by leaving me with some gas. And on that note folks remember in all things, “Moderation is a key to daily living."

Now here's some food facts from  Buudha...

- Peax

Black Beans, cooked to perfection!

What Nutrients are in Black Beans?
Black beans are a good source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Fiber, Folate, and Magnesium. They are also a carrier of Copper, Manganese, Iron, Phosporus and Protein. Even though beans aren't a vegetable, they contain an array of phytonutrients that aid in many bodily functions.
Black beans are low in calories, low in fat, a great complex carb, and helps to reduce cholesterol levels.
Vegan or vegetarian? To make your black beans a complete protein experience with all the required essential amino acids, practice combining your beans with a healthy grain such as wild rice or black rice, quinoa, leafy greens or peas. 

So we now know that black beans are NOT raw friendly, but which legumes CAN you eat RAW?

Raw Friendly Beans and Legumes

The list of raw friendly beans is actually fairly short. Larger beans should be avoided unless cooked so that leaves a few smaller varieties such as:

Adzuki Beans

Mung Beans

Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)

Lentils (all varieties)

There is a bit of controversy over whether or not Pinto beans are safe for raw consumption so to be on the safe side I would NOT.

I recommend soaking and sprouting raw beans AND beans you intend to cook before consumption to soften them and release any toxins that may be present. If you must cook, don't OVERCOOK. 
Have you ever noticed the foamy substance that appears after leaving beans to soak? - That's what gives you gas and upsets your stomach!

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As you can see, our health journey isn't perfect but as we continue to learn, we will continue to pass on the info we obtain.

 Eat smart. Eat safe.

 Humbly, Peax & Love