Beans are a great way to get protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins in your diet. Additionally, they are rich in plant polyphenols that protect your organs, especially the heart. Research shows that eating about 2 cups of beans, peas, tofu, or lentils every week was actually linked to a decrease in mortality due to ischemic heart disease, which is a condition when clogged arteries prevent your heart from getting enough blood to function. The fiber that is found in beans can also help lower the levels of "bad" cholesterol and unhealthy fats in our bloodstream.