French beans are free of fat, cholesterol and sodium and low in calories. When they are consumed tender, before the seeds are completely developed, they are poor in proteins, whereas when they are mature they are rich in proteins. French beans, with or without pod, must be cooked before their consumption, in order to destroy the harmful lectins.

French beans are a source of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, vitamin C, fibre, potassium, folate and some given phytochemicals. Vitamin A is essential for sight, growth, the development of bones, the maintenance of the corporal tissues, the reproduction and the development of the hormonal functions and the co-enzyms. The antioxidant role of vitamin C may protect against some types of cancer and intensify the immunological functions.

Research shows that fibre consumption helps to protect against a set of disorders of the alimentary canal, including intestine cancer. Potassium plays an important role in the metabolism of the energy. Folate is important for a healthy pregnancy, and at the same time it protects against some cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The phytochemicals are secondary compounds, non-nutrient, that occur in some vegetables that offer protection against cancer and some cardiovascular diseases.

French beans contain vitamins A, B and C; phosphorus, silica and calcium; chlorophyll, carbohydrates, trace elements (nickel, cobalt, copper). In the vegetable’s fibres we find inosite, a substance with tonic properties.

There exists a product extracted from French beans that is chiefly marketed to fight the decrease of leukocytes occurring after the administration of certain toxic substances.

The main benefits from the consumption of beans are that they relieve kidney, liver and gall bladder disorders; they have a rejuvenating effect on the cells, they stimulate the protein synthesis in cells, they revitalize, they relieve digestive problems, they favour the elimination of liquid in the body and they fortify the heart and blood circulation.

Thus, among the properties of French beans we find that they are diuretic, tonic, a nerve stimulator, depurative, anti-infectious, an hepatic and pancreas tonic, recommended in periods of convalecence, growth, renal oliguria lithiasis and albuminuria.

French beans are not recommended in case of gout, arthritis, rheumatism and arteriosclerosis, since they are rich in uric acid, and to people who are prone to intestinal flatulence and fermentations.