When it comes to red beans, many people first think of Faye Wong's song "Red Bean". Red beans are a versatile food with the functions of diuresis, dampness elimination, nourishing the heart, and replenishing blood. It is especially effective when consumed in winter, as it can reduce swelling and promote digestion. Below, we will introduce the benefits of consuming red beans in winter and some methods of using red beans in cooking.
The Benefits of Eating Red Beans in Winter
1. Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach
In winter, the digestive capacity of the spleen and stomach is relatively strong, and absorption is better. Therefore, people with weaker bodies should strengthen their nutrition intake during winter to prepare for the coming year. Red beans, also known as "adzuki beans" in traditional Chinese medicine, have obvious effects in strengthening the spleen and stomach.
2. Lowering Blood Sugar
Red beans are rich in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber stays in the stomach for a longer time and is converted into glucose at a slower rate. Eating red beans does not cause a significant increase in blood sugar. Therefore, consuming red beans has a significant effect on lowering blood sugar.
3. Dampness Elimination and Heat Clearance
When the body is damp, fluids cannot flow with the blood and qi, leading to rapid swelling. Red beans can promote blood and qi circulation and have the functions of clearing heat, diuresis, and dampness elimination.
4. Nourishing the Heart and Replenishing Blood
Red beans can clear heart fire and replenish heart blood. They are rich in iron, which can promote blood circulation and are very suitable for nourishing the heart, keeping your hands and feet warm in winter.
5. Reducing Edema
In addition to being rich in potassium, red beans also contain saponins in their outer skin, which have a strong diuretic effect and can effectively improve facial and foot swelling caused by athlete's foot and kidney dysfunction. Therefore, red beans are often used to treat edema.
6. Detoxification and Weight Loss
Red beans are not only delicious but also a wonderful remedy for treating diseases. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that red beans have a downward nature, can promote intestinal movement, increase urination, and reduce swelling. Nowadays, at least five or six out of ten people are overweight, which is also a type of swelling called obesity.
Red Bean Blood-Replenishing Recipes
1. Red Bean and Purple Rice Soup
Ingredients: 20g red beans, 20g purple rice, honey as needed.
Usage: Wash the red beans and purple rice and soak them overnight. Discard the soaking water and add fresh water to cook until well done. Add honey before consuming.
Effects: Red beans have diuretic effects and can help improve edema. They are high in carbohydrates and can be used as a daily food. However, purple rice is not easy to digest, so it should not be consumed excessively at once.
2. Red Bean and Lily Soup
Ingredients: 20g green beans, 20g red beans, 20g lily, sugar or salt as needed.
Usage: Soak the green beans, red beans, and lily in water for half an hour. Boil them over high heat and then simmer until the beans are cooked. Add sugar or salt according to taste.
Effects: The vitamins in green beans can help lighten melanin; red beans can clear heat and detoxify; lilies can moisturize the skin.
3. Red Bean and Coix Seed Soup
Ingredients: 20g raw coix seed, 30g red beans, rock sugar as needed.
Usage: Wash the raw coix seed and red beans and soak them for half a day. Drain the water and cook them until well done. Add rock sugar and let it dissolve, then let it cool before consuming.
Effects: This soup can help with beauty and nourishment, and has the effects of replenishing qi, nourishing blood, diuresis, and reducing edema. Red beans can replenish qi, nourish blood, promote diuresis, and reduce edema; coix seed can invigorate the spleen, promote diuresis, clear heat, and resolve pus.
4. Red Bean and Black Rice Porridge
Ingredients: red beans, black rice, white sugar as needed.
Usage: Wash the red beans and black rice and soak them in water for more than 5 hours. Discard the soaking water and put the black rice and red beans with an appropriate amount of cold water in a pot. Boil them over high heat and then simmer until well done. Add sugar to taste.
Effects: Improves blood circulation and nourishes the skin.
