The effect of the consumption of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) on the growth of rats and the implications for human populations.

Raw Red Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) at a level as low as 1% of diet have been shown to cause death in rats in two weeks. Beans cooked at 100 degrees for 30 mins, and incorporated at a level as high as 20% of diet do not retard growth when tested against casein. However, when beans which have cooked at 70 degrees for 30 mins are incorporated growth retardation is almost as great as that which occurs when raw beans are fed. The small amount of lectin present in beans cooked at 70 degrees might be responsible for this effect.