Culinary beans have been used in Chinese cooking for centuries – and for good reason too! Beans are not just a massive part of Chinese diets for taste and flavour, they have plenty of health benefits too. Research associated with Chinese beans has shown benefits such as; slower ageing, improved heart health, cancer prevention, lower cholesterol, reduced waistlines and improved digestion.
Whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian or vegan, we urge you all to incorporate some of these magic beans into your diet. All of our beans and other culinary herbs are free from sulphur, pesticides and herbicides to ensure you are getting the best for your health. They taste good and do good too!
Magic Beans
Soya Bean (Huang Dou)
Soya beans are almost 40% protein and 20% oil and have multiple uses. They can be used as food, in supplements, or for industrial purposes. The beans contain all 9 essential amino acids, are low in saturated fat and high in protein, vitamin C and folate. Soya beans are also a great source of fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium.
Copper and iron are two minerals found in abundance in Soya Beans. Both of which are essential for the formation of red blood cells, which in turn improves circulation, maximizes metabolic activity and increases energy levels.
Additionally, Soy Beans may also aid sleep. They are high in magnesium, which is directly linked to increasing the quality, duration, and restfulness of your sleep.
Black Bean (Hei Dou)
Black beans contain key vitamins and minerals to benefit human health. They have a high fibre and protein content and can be used in soups, burritos, salads and dips. Hei Dou is high in calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc which can contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
The high fibre content combined with potassium, folate, vitamin B6 and phytonutrition means that Black Beans are great for lowering cholesterol and protecting cardiovascular health. The beans also contain very little sodium, which can stabilize and regulate blood pressure which is beneficial for those suffering from diabetes.
Red Bean (Hong Dou)
Red beans are also known as Adzuki Beans and are the most warming/yang of the bean family. Hong Dou is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods as it contains 29 different compounds which can increase your antioxidant intake.
Each cup of Adzuki beans contains 16.8g of fibre which can help you to feel fuller for longer which can help to maintain weight management. The high fibre content, along with high levels of folate, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins, may help to improve heart health and regulate cholesterol levels.
As well as being high in fibre, red beans are also extremely high in protein. Just one cup of beans contains 17.3g which can be beneficial for patients wanting to build muscle mass.
Green Bean (Lu Dou)
Green Beans or Mung Beans have nearly 3 times as much protein as rice and contain 15.4g of fibre. It has amazing culinary and medicinal properties at the same time, which thus get its fame as the “Cure-the-Sick Grain” in China. Mung bean soup tends to be a favourite refreshing beverage throughout the summer in Asia.
Lu Dou has been used in Chinese diets to reduce blood fat, lower cholesterol, prevent allergies, increase appetite and protect the liver and kidney. The beans are also rich in potassium, magnesium and fibre which may be beneficial for reducing blood pressure.
Furthermore, Mung Beans contain a soluble fibre called Pectin. This helps to speed up the movement of food through the gut, which can aid better digestion and can help with weight management.
If you fancy trying something new and want to add these Chinese superfoods to your dishes, visit the shop where you can find all our culinary herbs, including the Chinese beans.
If you have any questions or need any further information regarding our culinary herbs, please contact info@phoenixmd.co.uk
What do you think?