A female celebrity publicly shared her secret for a sharp face online, claiming that drinking red bean water can reduce lower body edema and help achieve a V-shaped face. In response, Taiwan's "Common Health" magazine published an article stating that the diuretic effect of red beans should not be underestimated.
Yang Rongji, an associate professor at the Department of Chinese Medicine at Chang Gung University in Taiwan, explained that Traditional Chinese Medicine has a health concept of "the five colors correspond to the five organs." Red beans, being a red food, are associated with the heart and can promote blood circulation. Ancient texts also record that red beans have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and are often used to improve beriberi and reduce edema in the lower limbs.
Sago Barley and Red Bean Soup
[NextPage]
1. Is red bean water suitable for everyone? Red bean water is more effective for edema caused by a salty diet, stress, or constipation. Patients with edema caused by diseases should pay special attention to their water intake. For example, patients with chronic kidney disease have impaired kidney filtration function; the water they drink cannot be excreted, which加重身体负担加重 the body's burden, so drinking red bean water is not recommended. Additionally, red bean water should be consumed warm, as drinking it cold can slow down metabolism.
2. What kind of beans should be used to make red bean water? Red beans were historically called "chixiaodou" (small red beans), and some say they are different varieties. So, which is better? Red beans and chixiaodou are different varieties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chixiaodou is considered a medicinal herb. It is slimmer and darker in color than regular red beans, and the two are often confused. The diuretic effect of chixiaodou is stronger than that of regular red beans, but regular red beans also have diuretic properties.
3. Are very thin people unsuitable for eating red beans or drinking red bean water? Diuresis is not the same as dehydration. Although red beans have a diuretic effect, they are not like diuretics and will not cause dehydration or a dry mouth.
4. How should red bean water be prepared? You can use the following method to make red bean water: 1. Wash 1 cup of red beans and add 4-5 cups of cold water, soaking for about 30 minutes. 2. Do not discard the water; bring it to a boil. After it boils, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-30 minutes. About half of the red beans should have their skins split, and the water should be a translucent reddish-brown. 3. Pour out the still-clear red bean water, especially the top clear liquid, for drinking; the remaining red beans can be kept to make red bean soup for your family.