The Egyptians worshipped them, the cowboys baked them... now Ever Wondered reveals why being full of beans is good for your health - but not necessarily good for the environment.

How did beans make the journey from Central America to the rest of the world? Who invented the slogan that forever linked Heinz with beans in the minds of millions of Britons? And why could work to reduce the flatulence-causing potential of pulses, preserve the ozone layer?

In the kitchen, Alan Coxon makes chilli, tortillas and refried beans, while Kathy Sykes explains why boiling your beans will protect your stomach from poisonous proteins..