A group of phytochemical compounds extracted from whole germinated or not germinated black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and/or their dry milled fractions such as seed coats or hulls and cotyledons is described. These phytochemicals are classified as phenolics, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins, triterpenes such as saponins, phytosterols and other antioxidant compounds that proved to be effective to decrease cancer proliferation of hormone dependent mammary (MCF-7), hormone independent hepatic (HepG2) and colon (Caco2) cancer cells. They also effectively protect against chemical damage induced with DMBA and furthermore prevented cancer induced by this chemical in Wistar rats and also reduced tumor size when consumed after tumor detection. Methanol, acetone, ethanol, water and mixtures of these solvents were used to obtain the extracts from raw, cooked, and germinated black beans of different varieties, both from the whole grain and the hulls. The black bean malting process produced extracts rich in aglycone forms of the previous mentioned compounds that were more biologically active against MCF-7 cancer cell proliferation. Both raw extracts, C-18 HPLC refined extracts and fractionated extracts may be used in the treatment, prophylaxis, amelioration or defense against a variety of hormone dependent and independent cancers. The extracts and compounds have additional utilities, e.g., lower cholesterol or lower oxidation of LDL and/or inhibit cholesterol synthesis (or the enzyme therefor) and/or reduce liver fibrosis and/or reduce symptoms of menopause and/or stimulate calcium absorption and/or have estrogenic activity such as feminizing estrogenic activity and/or are antioxidants, for instance, as an active ingredient in a nutritional supplement and/or as a food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical antioxidants or colorants.