Adzuki Beans

Vigna angularis

The Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis; from the Japanese アズキ（小豆 (azuki?), sometimes transliterated as azuki or aduki) is an annual vine widely grown throughout East Asia and the Himalayas for its small (approximately 5 mm) bean. The cultivars most familiar in Northeast Asia have a uniform red colour. However, white, black, gray and variously mottled varieties are also known. Scientists presume Vigna angularis var. nipponensis is the progenitor.

Health Benefits and uses of Adzuki Beans are

• Great source of magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, fiber, manganese and B Vitamins, such as niacin, thiamin and riboflavin, adzuki beans contribute to the overall health of the body; with 1 cup of cooked beans providing an estimate of 4.5 mg of iron, 119 mg of magnesium, 1.2 g of potassium, 4 mg of zinc and 278 μg of folic acid.
• Good source of energy, promote regular bowel movements and help in lowering cholesterol.
• Help in preventing breast cancer.
• Help the liver to detoxify. Just a quarter cup of adzuki beans contains 100% of the recommended daily intake of molybdenum, a trace mineral that produces the enzyme sulfite oxidase which is crucial for liver detoxification.
• Rich in soluble fiber, the beans speed up the elimination of wastes from the body and prevent the body from absorbing harmful substances.
• Improve bowel movement : Since they have a high fiber content, adzuki beans greatly improve bowel movement. This helps in keeping the digestive system smooth, thus preventing constipation. The fiber contained in these beans also helps in preventing colon cancer.
• Stabilize cholesterol level : Due to high concentration of soluble fiber in adzuki beans, these beans are ideal for stabilizing the cholesterol level. They also help in eliminating cholesterol and toxins from the body.
• Treat bladder infections and urinary dysfunction : The high amount of soluble fiber in adzuki beans helps in treating bladder infections and urinary dysfunction in both men and women. This soluble fiber has a soothing effect and is thus ideal for healing an infected bladder and urinary tract.
• tone up the heart and spleen, heal swelling in edema, stop vomiting and diarrhea.
• The presence of soluble fiber in the beans also reduces the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
• ideal for people who are on weight-loss diet, since they are low in fat and high in protein. The high-protein content makes you feel full for long and the low-fat content helps in limiting calorie intake.
• They aide in diabetes prevention as they maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
• They build up a strong metabolism that enables the body to quickly and efficiently metabolize the food eaten.
• They contain protease inhibitors that are known to disrupt the development of cancerous cells.