Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris): A Brief Description of Nutritional and Nutraceutical Profiles for Potential Weight-Control Applications. (CAPÍTULO) 

Abstract 
Beans have been consumed since prehispanic times and, nowadays, are one of the most eaten legumes worldwide. Among ~70 varieties, beans are now considered as functional foods due to the presence of different phytochemicals, e.g., phenolic compounds. These have been reported to exhibit a wide variety of nutraceutic effects, including those oriented to weight-control and therefore, obesity. Although evidence of both observational and experimental studies has revealed positive tendencies related to bean consumption/supplementation and weight-loss, more rigorous trials are needed in order to consider this functional food within the every-day therapeutics of obesity.