Greeks encouraged to eat more beans
Officials yesterday encouraged Greeks to eat more beans, saying they have similar levels of protein to meat, as it emerged that half the 35,000 tons of beans consumed annually in Greece are imported. At a conference organized by the Agricultural Development Ministry, food experts highlighted the benefits of eating beans – an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. «Beans are among the foods that should be eaten regularly,» said clinical nutritionist Anastassios Papalazarou. As for the gassy side effect of eating beans, Papalazarou said that this too can be beneficial. «It helps to expel dangerous carcinogenic substances from our intestines,» he said. Most of Greece’s common beans are grown in the northern regions of Florina and Kastoria.
