The chemical and nutritional composition of dry beans varies among market classes. Previous reports have shown that beans differ in their ability to accumulate micronutrients and in their content of phytochemicals that have been linked to positive health benefits. Scientists have attributed the health benefits of beans, e.g. anti-cancer effects, to their high concentrations of folate and fiber, as well as to lower the glycemic index. The objective of this program of research is to characterize 13 different market classes of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) for their health benefits based on chemical assays, growth of culture cells, and in-vivo activity. Our results confirm that market classes differ in content of total phenolics, antioxidant activity, and influence on human cell growth in culture. The results indicated that market classes group into three categories: high, moderate and low for phenolics and antioxidant activity. In general, white beans were classified low and colored beans intermediate or high. Cowpea grouped in the low category with white beans.