An article on the Food Foundation’s Bang in some Beans report, further highlighting the health, environmental and cost benefits of eating more beans
The Food Foundation recently launched their Bang in some Beans campaign, a project that aims to double the UK’s intake of beans and pulses by 2028.
If you ask me, beans are seriously underrated. They are nutritious, affordable and beneficial to the environment, making them a key player for a transition to a healthier, more sustainable food system in the UK.
Despite this, average consumption of beans and pulses in the UK is low. We currently consume just one portion per week, with more regular consumers responsible for pulling up these numbers. The Food Foundation’s report highlights that two-thirds of people actually eat far less than this, at around 16g (or a fifth of a portion) per week, mainly in the form of baked beans.
So what exactly are the potential benefits of increasing the amount and variety of beans consumed in the UK?
Health
The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2025), which analysed the eating habits of the UK from 2019–2023, identified several imbalances within our diets.
Firstly, just 4% of the population are currently meeting their fibre needs. Fibre is an important nutrient: whilst it can’t technically be digested by our own enzymes, it does perform several key functions for our health on its way through our bodies.
Fibre provides bulk to our stools and food for our gut bacteria, reducing the likelihood of developing a variety of bowel conditions from constipation to colorectal cancer, the latter of which is being increasingly diagnosed in younger adults in the UK.
The benefits of fibre extend beyond the gut. Eating enough fibre significantly reduces our risk of experiencing cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke, thanks to its ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Fibre also helps to regulate our blood glucose levels, reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Ultimately, studies show that each 10g increase in daily fibre intake reduces the risk of death from any cause by 10%.
This is where beans come in. Offering a rich source of fibre, at 5-8g per portion, eating more of them is a clear win for health. A modelling study by Fadnes et al., (2022) actually suggests that regular consumption of beans and pulses could increase life expectancy by 2.2 years for women, and 2.5 years for men, thanks to the nutritional benefits they provide.
The NDNS also showed us that 85% of children and 82% of adults are overconsuming saturated fat, a nutrient most commonly found in animal products and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Replacing animal proteins, particularly meat, with beans in our nation’s meals is a promising strategy to reduce saturated fat intake and improve health outcomes.
Despite prevailing beliefs that plant proteins are somehow inferior to animal proteins, studies show that they are just as effective for building and retaining muscle strength and function across age groups. Research is also clear that eating more plant, and fewer animal, proteins is linked with healthier aging and a reduced likelihood of developing several chronic health issues.
Finally, only 17% of the UK population are currently eating their 5-a-day. An 80g portion of beans counts as a portion of vegetables, so eating these little powerhouses more frequently is a great way to close this gap.
Beans ultimately feature in many healthy eating patterns around the world, with regular consumption indicative of a more nutrient-dense and healthier eating pattern.
Environment
Growing and eating more beans in the UK could have significant positive effects on the environment.
Beans directly support the health of the soil around them by fixing nitrogen from the air, which improves soil biodiversity and reduces the need to use synthetic fertilisers. Beans also increase the carbon content of deeper soils and support their physical structure so they can hold more water and carry out more efficient gas exchange.
Beans also have a much lower carbon footprint than animal proteins. It is becoming increasingly clear that in order to stay within our planetary boundaries for land use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions we need to reduce the UK’s reliance on farmed animals for food and move towards a diet that prioritises plant proteins.
The 2025 Climate Change Committee report advised the government that, in order to meet our emissions targets by 2050, meat consumption in the UK needs to reduce by at least 35% and dairy consumption by 20%.
Another key report by the EAT-Lancet commission (2025) echoed these recommendations. This research found that, in order to stay within planetary boundaries, global numbers of farmed animals need to decline by 26%, and that beans should be making up the greatest volume of protein in our diets – a minimum of one portion per day.
Of course, this change would also mark a step in the right direction towards a more compassionate, vegan world.
Cost
In case you haven’t been convinced yet on the benefits of beans, they’re also a seriously cost-effective source of protein, with the average can coming in at just 49p.
As well as being cheap, they are generally sold dried or canned, with a long use-by date. This means you can save extra money by buying in bulk without worrying about food waste affecting either the planet or your wallet.
Recipe inspiration
Whilst researching for the Bang in some Beans campaign, The Food Foundation found that the perceived difficulty of cooking with beans and pulses was a major barrier to people eating more of these foods. Whilst 73% of people they surveyed agreed beans are good for you, and 44% of people wanted to eat more of them, only 42% were confident about using them in recipes.
Concerns about the taste and texture of beans was also a theme in their research, and another survey by Veg Power (2025) found that people who eat fewer beans were likely to describe them as ‘bland’ or ‘boring’. In comparison, those who cook and eat beans more often were more likely to regard them as ‘tasty’.
It strikes me that, in order to get the UK population excited about beans, it is important to increase peoples’ awareness of, and confidence in making, a variety of bean-based dishes. Beans and pulses are ultimately diverse in taste and texture, surprisingly versatile and can be quickly incorporated into recipes.
Some examples include:
- Chilli sin carne made with black beans, kidney beans and soya mince
- Stir fry or ramen with crispy tofu and edamame
- ‘BLT’ sandwiches featuring smoky tempeh bacon
- Thai vegetable curry with butterbeans and beansprouts
Hungry for more?
Head to The Vegan Society's Instagram feed to check out our nutrition team’s recent recipe reels, and visit our Live Vegan for Less campaign page to download our brand new, free access, three-course Beans on a Budget menu.
Considering their health benefits, positive environmental impact and cost efficiency – it’s time to get the UK eating more beans.
By Emily Angus, Senior Dietitian
References and further reading
Climate Change Committee (CCC) (2025) Greenhouse gas abatement in UK agriculture 2024-2050 (SRUC). UK: CCC, https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/greenhouse-gas-abatement-in-uk-agriculture-2024-2050-sruc/ (Accessed 10/11/2025)
Fadnes et al, (2022). Estimating impact of food choices on life expectancy: A modeling study. PLOS Medicine, 19(2), e1003889, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003889 (Accessed 2/12/2025)
Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID) (2025) National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: report. UK: OHID, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023-report (Accessed 10/11/2025)
Rockström et al. (2025) The EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems. The Lancet 406: 1625-1700, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01201-2/abstract (Accessed 10/11/2025)
The Food Foundation (TFF) (2025) Bean Facts. London: TFF, https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/TFF_Beans%20Facts_DIGITAL.pdf (Accessed 10/11/2025)
The Vegan Society. The Future is Vegan, https://www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/campaigns/the-future-is-vegan (Accessed 10/11/2025)
The Vegan Society. Live Vegan for Less, https://www.vegansociety.com/take-action/campaigns/live-vegan-less (Accessed 10/11/2025)
The Vegan Society. Plate Up for the Planet, https://www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/campaigns/plate-up-planet (Accessed 10/11/2025)
VegPower (2025). Bang In Some Beans, https://vegpower.org.uk/boosting-beans/ (Accessed 2/12/2025)
Yang et al. (2015) Association Between Dietary Fiber and Lower Risk of All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. American Journal of Epidemiology 181: 83-89, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwu257 (Accessed 10/11/2025)
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
