Green Beans commonly referred to as string beans, the string that once was their trademark can seldom be found in modern varieties. Although these bright green and crunchy beans are available at your local market throughout the year, they are in season from summer through early fall when they are at their best and the least expensive.

Green beans, while quite low in calories , are loaded with nutrients — an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and iron. And, green beans are a good source of magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, phosphorus, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and niacin.

The vitamin K provided by green beans — a spectacular 122.0% of the recommended daily allowance in one cup — is important for maintaining strong bones. Vitamin K is known to be needed to maintain proper bone density and to coagulate blood. It plays a key role in proper development of the fetus.

Deficiencies of vitamin K have been linked to heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, nosebleeds, eye hemorrhages, anemia, gum bleeding, prolonged clotting times, hematomas, hemorrhaging, easy bruising, purpura, osteopenia, osteoporosis, fractures, hypercalciuria, and calcification of soft tissue, especially heart valves.