Beans Linked to Low Cholesterol

Just when you thought you had heard it all about cholesterol, the latest research reveals most people really don't know beans about it. That's because it turns out that beans -- including soybeans and chickpeas -- can actually help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.

Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say beans increase blood levels of phytoestrogens or plant estrogens in women. Phytoestrogens are good because Dr. Bairey Merz says the study shows a "very significant relationship" between increased phytoestrogen levels and lower cholesterol.

Merz says there also may be "positive associations" with phytoestrogens and hormone replacement therapy for women during and after menopause, but more research is needed. Future research will analyze stored blood samples.

Investigators need to compare eating phytoestrogens in plant form to taking supplement capsules because other studies show artificial forms produce less positive results. As Merz says, "This probably means we should be eating beans as opposed to taking supplements in capsule form."