Beans are a valuable food plant. Both fresh and canned seeds and green beans are used for food. Dishes made from the seeds have high flavor and nutritional qualities. Bean seeds contain 28-30% protein, 45-52% carbohydrates, including 5.2% sugars, 1.8% fat, 4% minerals and vitamins A, B1, B2, etc. Green beans contain 15.7% protein and up to 2% sugar. 

Beans are almost never used for feed. Due to the content of toxic substances in unripe green beans, green mass and seeds, animals do not eat beans. Only Asian beans are used for fodder. The agrotechnical value of beans is determined by their ability to accumulate nitrogen in the soil.