Bean products are abundant, including Huang Dou (Soybeans), Wan Dou (Peas), Can Dou (Fava Beans), and Hong Dou (Red Beans). Consuming these beans appropriately is very beneficial for health. Teacher Sun explains that different types of beans have various health benefits. Currently, our main concern is summer health, so here are some beans suitable for summer consumption!
Mao Dou (Edamame)
Mao Dou is known as the king of dietary fiber. It is rich in plant protein, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins. Notably, tender Mao Dou contains up to 4.0% dietary fiber, making it a champion among vegetables, which helps control blood sugar and blood lipids. Additionally, consuming Mao Dou in summer can prevent malnutrition and heatstroke caused by excessive sweating and loss of appetite. Mao Dou can be boiled with the skin on or stir-fried, such as in stir-fried chicken with Mao Dou.
Wan Dou (Peas)
Wan Dou improves vision. According to the Chinese Food Composition Table, every 100 grams of Wan Dou contains 0.49 mg of vitamin B, which is three times that of Mao Dou. Since sweating in hot weather can lead to a loss of B vitamins, Wan Dou is very suitable for summer consumption. Wan Dou is rich in carotenoids and lutein, which are very beneficial for protecting the optic nerve and improving vision. Fresh Wan Dou is available in spring, and dried Wan Dou can be used to make porridge or ground into flour for snacks.
Yun Dou (Kidney Beans)
Yun Dou is a champion in calcium supplementation. Every 100 grams of Yun Dou with skin contains 349 mg of calcium, nearly double that of Huang Dou. Yun Dou is also rich in dietary fiber, with a potassium content higher than that of Hong Dou. Therefore, consuming Yun Dou in summer can effectively replenish minerals. Yun Dou can be cooked and made into snacks, such as five-spice Yun Dou, or used to stew with ribs for added flavor and to reduce greasiness.
Can Dou (Fava Beans)
Can Dou is beneficial for brain health. Can Dou is rich in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, carotenoids, and other healthful nutrients. It also contains phospholipids and abundant choline, which are important components for the brain and nervous tissue, enhancing memory and brain function. Can Dou also has the effects of tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen, and promoting urination and reducing swelling, making it particularly suitable for consumption in the hot and humid summer. Tender Can Dou can be boiled and eaten directly, while mature Can Dou can be used to cook rice or porridge.
Lu Dou (Mung Beans)
Lu Dou clears heat and relieves summer heat. Studies have shown that the skin of Lu Dou contains a large amount of antioxidant components, such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Lu Dou also contains alkaloids, phytosterols, and a significant amount of dietary fiber. Therefore, consuming Lu Dou in summer can clear heat and detoxify, alleviating heatstroke. Common ways to consume Lu Dou include making porridge or soup, and making Lu Dou paste is also a good choice.
Hong Dou (Red Beans)
Hong Dou reduces swelling and eliminates dampness. From a TCM perspective, Hong Dou is neutral in nature and has a sweet and sour taste, with effects of strengthening the spleen, promoting urination, clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and detoxifying. In summer, when the body is prone to edema, consuming Hong Dou is a good dietary therapy for reducing swelling. Modern research shows that Hong Dou is rich in dietary fiber, potassium, B vitamins, and other nutrients. Hong Dou can be cooked with rice to make Hong Dou rice, or used as a filling for staple foods, such as Hong Dou buns.
There are many types of bean products, and the above introduces six types of beans suitable for summer consumption, which have excellent health benefits. Everyone can consume them based on their individual conditions!
