Beans, beans they're good for your heart...

Ever heard this? Chances are you have and the fact is, it's true! Beans are a great source of protein, the B group of vitamins, folic acid, iron and starch. They are also packed full of healthy fibre, which cuts down levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol in your blood, thus protecting you from heart disease. Steven G Pratt, author of "SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life" says beans help reduce blood sugar, obesity and the risk of getting cancer. They also relieve hypertension. He recommends eating at least four half-cup servings of beans a week.

February is National Heart Month. What better time to get heart health-concious and serve up these delicious bean-based dishes?

• Rajma (red kidney bean curry)
• Lobia (black-eyed bean curry)
• Chole (chickpea curry)
• Beans & Peas Salad
• Chatpata Channa Raita (chickpeas in hot-sour yoghurt)
• Kaali Daal (black lentils) and
• Lehsuni Daal (garlic flavored lentils)
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