Earth Essences.Com

7 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are the most popular dried beans in the United States. 

They’re a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), which is frequently used in Mexican cuisine.

Pinto beans are beige with reddish-brown specks when dried but become a solid light brown or pale pink when cooked. They have an earthy, almost nutty flavor and are simple to prepare. They’re regularly eaten whole or mashed.

Pinto beans are not only full of vitamins and minerals but may also offer several impressive health benefits.

Here are 7 health and nutrition benefits of pinto beans.

 1. Loaded with nutrients

Pinto beans are primarily comprised of carbs, fiber, and protein. They also pack an incredible punch of vitamins and minerals.

One cup (171 grams) of pinto beans boiled with salt provides (1Trusted Source):

• Calories: 245
• Carbs: 45 grams
• Fiber: 15 grams
• Protein: 15 grams
• Fat: 1 gram
• Sodium: 407 mg
• Thiamine: 28% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Iron: 20% of the DV
• Magnesium: 21% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 20% of the DV
• Potassium: 16% of the DV

As you can see, they boast a good amount of thiamine (vitamin B1), which is an essential vitamin that helps your body convert food into energy.

They also offer numerous other minerals, such as iron and magnesium, and contain small amounts of other B vitamins, zinc, and calcium.

When cooked without salt or other additives, pinto beans are free of cholesterol and low in fat and sodium.

SUMMARY

Pinto beans contain important vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. In particular, they boast plenty of thiamine, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Surgeon compared to Jimmy Savile in ‘harrowing’ report on sexual violence in NHS

A surgeon has been compared to Jimmy Savile in a damning report on “systemic and institutional sexual violence” in the NHS.

The study looked at 174 anonymous, self-reported incidents by NHS staff, alleging sexism, sexual harassment and sexual assault committed by colleagues.

“Perpetrators of sexual violence are described as being well known, acting within a culture of tolerance, while survivors struggle to raise concerns and face enduring impacts on their wellbeing and careers,” the report by campaigners Surviving in Scrubs claims.

One survivor referred to a perpetrator as the “Jimmy Savile of the surgical community”, because he had allegedly “gotten away with so much before and was capable of ruining careers”. Another recalled being sexually propositioned by a male consultant who was covered in a female patient’s blood at the end of surgery.

MP Caroline Nokes, the women and equalities select committee chair told The Independent: “The report by Surviving in Scrubs is both harrowing to read and sadly unsurprising to those of us who have heard the testimonies of survivors and those who have championed them.”

The group of female doctors who set up Surviving in Scrubs has previously shared their views and experiences with the committee. The senior Conservative MP said she was “immensely grateful” for this but stressed that “what matters most is that we get change”.

“Sexual harassment, abuse and everyday sexism are not necessarily about sex, it is about power, and that comes over very clearly in the report,” she said. “This means the NHS as a whole and individual trusts need to put in place effective measures to tackle the problems, support victims and prevent more young women working in the NHS from falling prey to these sorts of behaviours.”

Caroline Nokes said the report was harrowing and change was needed (PA Wire)© Provided by The Independent

Two of the report’s authors, Dr Becky Cox and Dr Chelcie Jewitt, have met with the General Medical Council’s chief executive Charlie Massey. He told The Independent: “We are very clear that there can be no place for any form of sexual harassment, discrimination, misogyny or bullying in the medical profession.” 

The report documented women’s stories of “significant power imbalance”, with claims of senior male staff perpetrating sexual violence against junior female colleagues in what the report called “a normalised culture of sexism, entitlement, and the devaluing of women staff”.

Survivors feared repercussions if they reported sexual misconduct, with several claiming to have received threats from perpetrators. The report alleged those who raised concerns were told “not to make a fuss”, were advised against making a complaint by human resources and seniors, or faced dismissive attitudes and the normalisation of perpetrators’ behaviour.

Stories documented survivors allegedly being asked for sexual favours in return for career advancement, including one paramedic who recalled being asked for nude photographs by her supervisor in return for passing a placement.

Of the incidents recorded, over 55 per cent of the survivors were junior doctors, while under seven per cent were other grades of doctors. Almost 10 per cent were nurses, and close to 12 per cent were healthcare students.

However, of the alleged perpetrators, nearly 60 per cent were consultants, while 17 per cent were other grades of doctors. Just over seven per cent were nurses, and 5.5 per cent were managers.

Some 42.3 per cent of the alleged incidents included sexual harassment, over a third (36.8 per cent) included sexism, around a fifth (20.6 per cent) involved sexual assault, and just under two per cent (1.9 per cent) involved rape.

Half of all incidents were claimed to have happened in patient-facing environments, including hospital wards, theatre and clinics.

Surviving in Scrubs is calling for an independent inquiry into the culture of sexism and sexual misconduct in healthcare.

Dr Latifa Patel, BMA equality lead, described the report as “shocking” but consistent with reports the union has heard from across the medical profession. She said: “Once again we have evidence of the institutional sexism that exists within healthcare that enables sexist behaviour and sexual misconduct to take place.”

The union – which launched a pledge in March aimed at ending sexism in the medical profession – said it is continuing to demand action to prevent these incidents from happening again, to support survivors, and to hold perpetrators to account.

Dr Binta Sultan, Chair of NHS England’s National Clinical Network of Sexual Assault and Abuse Services, said: “No one should experience sexism, sexual harassment, or sexual assault in the workplace – it is totally unacceptable. The NHS is taking steps to ensure that healthcare environments are safe for staff and patients.

“The health service’s first-ever sexual safety charter, which was produced with people with lived experience, commits to providing more support and clear reporting mechanisms to those who have suffered harassment or inappropriate behaviour.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind is unacceptable and has no place in the NHS.

“NHS leaders have a duty of care to look after both their staff and patients and must stamp out any such behaviours in the NHS.” 

Reference: The Independent: Story by Tara Cobham  

Top 5 health benefits of liver

Once revered, liver is now unlikely to be top of your shopping list but should we reconsider our take on this nutrient-dense food? We asked registered nutritionist Kerry Torrens.

What is liver?

The largest organ in human and animal bodies, the liver is a crucial gland playing an important role in a number of key processes including digesting food, storing nutrients and filtering and detoxifying toxins. A staple in the diets of our ancestors, organ meat, including liver, provided valuable nutritional benefits.

With many cuisines embracing dishes that showcase liver, it has more recently been viewed as a speciality ingredient, and one with some impressive health-boosting properties.

Nutritional benefits of liver

A 100g serving of beef liver (stewed) provides:

• 198Kcal / 831KJ

• 24.8g protein

• 9.5g fat

• 3.6g carbs

• 7.8mg iron

• 4.3mg zinc

• 17300mcg vitamin A (retinol)

• 1.1mcg vitamin D

• 290mcg folate

Chicken, pig, lamb, beef and duck liver are available from most supermarkets and butchers.

Top 5 health benefits of liver

1. Is nutrient dense

Rich in protein, low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals; liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. What makes it even more of a ‘superfood’ is that the nutrients are easily accessible by the body.

2. Rich source of vitamin A

Liver and liver products, like pâté, are a rich source of vitamin A in the form of retinol, which is the ‘active’ form. Muscle meat is not such an impressive source and plant sources have to be converted to the active form in the gut, so that the body can use them.

3. Valuable dietary source of vitamin D

There are a limited number of food sources of vitamin D, with liver being one. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is typically formed by the action of sunlight on the skin and is difficult to obtain in adequate amounts from our diets. With low levels of sun light during the Autumn and Winter months, it’s common for levels to be low.

The form of vitamin D supplied by liver is D3, the more ‘active’ form, which once again is found in much lower levels in muscle meat.

4. Useful source of the B group of vitamins

Liver is an impressive source of B vitamins including folate, choline and vitamin B12. These nutrients are needed for a number of functions in the body and especially for metabolism.

5. Valuable source of iron

Rich in iron, liver supplies the form known as haem, this form is especially helpful for supporting adequate iron stores. Maintaining these levels is particularly relevant for menstruating women who are commonly low in this important mineral.

Top 5 health benefits of liver© Provided by BBC Good Food

Is liver safe for everyone?

Like other organ meats, liver supplies fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Despite concerns over these nutrients, eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, they help support a number of functions and aid the uptake of the fat-soluble vitamins A and D.

Other concerns surrounding the consumption of liver rests on the fact that one of its key roles is the processing of toxins. The liver does this by filtering toxins and parcelling them up to be excreted from the body. For this reason, it may be wise to select organ meats, like liver, from animals which have been subjected to higher welfare standards and, if your budget permits, free-range or organically reared.

The nutrient density of liver means there are some individuals who should minimise how much they eat. One of the reasons being its high vitamin A content. In this respect, pregnant women should avoid liver and liver products during their pregnancy because too much vitamin A may cause birth defects, especially during the first trimester. Furthermore, research suggests there may be a link between high vitamin A intake, over multiple years, and fracture risk in post-menopausal women and older men. For this reason, this age group should limit liver and liver products to no more than once a week, or have smaller portions.

Liver, like other organ meats, contains high levels of naturally occurring compounds called purines. Individuals who suffer from gout have problems metabolising these compounds and are advised to minimise their intake.

Children have a reduced nutritional need and for this reason the high nutrient density of liver suggests consumption for this age group should be limited to once per week.

If you or a family member falls into one of the categories who should minimise their consumption of organ meats, refer to your GP or Registered Dietician before making any significant dietary changes. When eaten in moderation and as part of a varied, balanced diet, liver may make a valuable nutritional contribution.

Top 5 health benefits of liver© Provided by BBC Good Food: By Kerry Torrens – Nutritionist

Five lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer that aren't feeling a lump in chest

Most people will be aware that finding a lump in their breast could be a warning sign of breast cancer, but fewer are familiar with other signs of the disease.

This is worrisome considering most breast cancers don't present with a lump that can be detected by touch, and if they do, it often suggests a fast-growing or advanced-stage cancer that is more resistant to treatment.

A survey by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that fewer than half of adults recognised the five other symptoms of breast cancer that occur more often.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with 1 woman diagnosed every 10 minutes according to the charity Breast Cancer Now. And it doesn't just affect women – around 400 men are also diagnosed with the disease each year.

Nurse helping patient prepare for mammogram in examination room© Getty Images/Caiaimage

Being alert to potential signs of breast cancer requires one to be familiar with the usual look and feel of their breasts. Breast medical oncologist Dr. Ashley Pariser commented that although mammograms are the "No.1 defence in detecting and addressing breast cancer at the earliest, most treatable stages", being aware of the look and feel of one's own breast tissue allows subtle changes to be evaluated quickly, which improves the likelihood of early detection.

"We want people to feel empowered about their bodies and know what is normal for them. Many breast changes are the result of ageing and childbirth; however, breast cancer can present in a number of ways", said Pariser. "It is important that people feel safe to address these concerns in a timely way with their doctor. We have made great strides in detecting breast cancers in far earlier, more treatable stages.

The lesser-known symptoms of breast cancer include:

The most concerning types of discharge are bloody and/or clear, but if your nipples are producing leaky discharge when you are not breastfeeding a baby, speak to your doctor.

When should I get a mammogram?

Mammograms are X-ray pictures of the breasts that can pick up on cancers that are too small to see or feel. They are a primary tool in most clinicians' breast-screening arsenals – but a third of the women surveyed confessed they weren't sure when they should get their first mammogram, with women under 30 being especially confused.

Anyone registered with an NHS GP as female will be invited for breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71 via a letter in the posts. Those 71 years-old and above will not be automatically invited for breast screening, but can still undergo one every 3 years on a voluntary basis.

Trans men, trans women, and non-binary people may be invited automatically depending on how they are registered on NHS records. Otherwise, talk to your GP surgery or contact the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment. 

Story by Mizy Judah Clifton  : Mirror: