Have you ever tried azuki beans?

You may also know them as “red beans” or “red soy”, but don’t get it wrong: they have nothing in common with soy since they belong to a different genus. The Japanese word azuki prompts their Asian origins and their use in Eastern countries is very common.

Azuki have a neutral energy, as most pulses, and act of course on Spleen but also Small Intestine and Heart and here it is the reason why they are particularly suitable in summer time (the season of Heart/Small Intestine). They drain Heat/Dampness and also tonify QI and move up Blood, healing small pimples.

Health Benefits of Adzuki Beans

Digestive Issues:

Like most bean varieties, adzuki beans are high in dietary fiber, one of the key elements of digestive health. Fiber stimulates peristaltic motion, moving food through the digestive tract and enabling the smooth intake of nutrients from food. Fiber also helps to eliminate constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, as well as more serious conditions like colon cancer.

Diabetes Prevention and Management:

The dietary fiber in adzuki beans has a second purpose, regulating the activity of insulin receptors in the body to ensure that blood sugar levels remain normal. This can help prevent the onset of diabetes, or manage the symptoms and prevent those spikes and drops that are so dangerous for diabetes patients.

Heart Health:

Folate, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber all combine into a powerful cardiovascular boost in adzuki beans. Dietary fiber helps to balance cholesterol levels, while potassium relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, thereby reducing blood pressure and strain on the heart. This can help lower your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which means protecting you from heart attacks and strokes.

Growth and Repair:

There is a significant amount of protein in adzuki beans, which is a crucial element of our diet, particularly for vegetarians and vegans who don’t get protein from animal sources. Proteins break down into essential amino acids that our body needs to create new cells, tissues, and organs for both growth and repair. Foods like adzuki beans can also provide us with an energetic boost due to that high protein content.

Weight Loss:

Many people in Asian countries and abroad turn to adzuki beans (and other bean varieties) for weight loss. The dietary fiber and protein content sates the appetite and makes you feel full, without contributing a sizable amount of calories. 115 grams of adzuki beans (1/2 cup) is only equivalent to 150 calories, which means that you can get a whole lot of nutritive benefits without packing on any pounds!

Detox the Body:

Adzuki beans contain a unique mineral known as molybdenum in quite high concentrations. This is a trace mineral and is not found in many foods, but it plays a crucial part in the detoxification of the liver. Even a half-serving of adzuki beans provides 100% of the daily recommended intake of molybdenum.

Birth Defects:

The high content of B vitamins, particularly folic acid, can prevent the development of birth defects in unborn babies. Neural tube defects are a direct result of a folate deficiency, so the high content in adzuki beans can ensure a healthy delivery!

Bone Strength:

If you want to prevent osteoporosis and delay the onset of “old age”, adding minerals like zinc, copper, and magnesium to your diet can seriously boost your bone strength and prevent bone demineralization. Adzuki beans also contain these important minerals to keep you feeling young!

A Final Word of Warning:

Red bean paste is often an acquired taste, and many people are disgusted by the smell. However, other people find it to be very pleasant. If you are the former, try a different bean, but if you’re the latter, then enjoy! Adzuki beans are not known as an allergenic food.

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