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Food of the Month: AZUKI BEANS
By Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D.
Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat the bigger
your muscles get. This is an entirely accurate statement when
talking about the azuki bean.
This red bean with the white ridge has been used in
traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese cuisine for
hundreds of years. Also called adzuki or aduki beans, they
promote regular bowel movements and are sometimes used to
treat urinary dysfunction and bladder infections, as they
seem to benefit the bladder and kidneys. Ancient Eastern
wisdom holds that the kidneys control fear, so the bean is
said to promote courage in the face of adversity.
For the skeptical Westerner, the bean has plenty of concrete
scientific benefits. In a 1997 study in the Journal of
Lipid Research, scientists found that the beans, which
are good sources of dietary fiber, helped lower "bad" LDL
cholesterol. They are also a great source of iron, potassium
and folate. Because they contain plenty of quality protein
and carbohydrates, they are perfect as part of a pre-training
or recovery meal.
Azuki beans can be found at most natural-food stores or Asian
markets. One cup of cooked azuki beans contains 294 calories,
56 grams of carbs, 17 grams of protein and no fat.
Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D. is a health, fitness, and nutrition
consultant. For information call 02-652-7684; 052-865-821 or
fax 02-652-7227 or email: dr_bruner@hotmail.com.
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