Man Cannot Live On Rice And Beans Alone (But Many Do)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/03/151932410/man-cannot-live-on-rice-and-beans-alone-but-many-do

Rice and beans are a common food combination all over the world. Today, they make a popular meal for people everywhere who live in poverty. Put together in the right proportions, rice and beans can provide an almost balanced diet for a very low price. However, the health of many who rely on this combination is being threatened because of rising global food prices. Beans are generally more expensive than rice. This has caused the poorest of the poor to begin eating more rice in comparison to beans. Since beans are much more nutritious, this negatively affects their health. Beans are considered a 'superfood' due to their large amounts of fiber, potassium, folate, iron, manganese and magnesium. They're also cholesterol and fat free. Recent studies have shown that an increase in the ratio of beans to rice might lower one's risk for heart disease as well as diabetes.

Another worry about increasing consumption of rice in comparison to beans lies in the rice itself. Most rice  bought by people living in poverty is white rice, not brown rice. While white rice is lower in cost, it is also lower in nutritional value. White rice lacks much of the healthy oils, iron, magnesium and vitamins B1 and B3 that are present in brown rice before it is processed and becomes white rice. In addition, white rice as a high glycemic index. This means that it raises a person's blood sugar, only keeping them full for a short amount of time. Beans, on the other hand, have a low glycemic index which makes one feel fuller for longer. Still, even a correctly proportioned diet of rice and beans would lack vitamin C, as well as other nutrients which are considered essential to body function. Despite all this, rice and beans continue to provide enough nutrition for many people to survive off of in extreme conditions of poverty.

This article relates to our recent study of the digestive system this term in honors biology. It focuses on nutrition. More specifically, it focuses on how the body requires certain vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. For example, one of the minerals found in beans is potassium, which aids in body functions such as water balance, nerve function, and muscle function. We studied both the nervous system and the muscular system during this term as well. Without essential vitamins and minerals, our other body systems would not work correctly. Proper nutrition allows our bodies to carry out necessary life functions.

Zielinski, Sarah. "Man Cannot Live On Rice And Beans Alone (But Many Do)." NPR. 03 May 2012. NPR. Web. 06 April 2012.