Adzuki Beans can help You lose Weight

Here’s a recipe for adzuki beans soup that has some great benefits for those wanting to lose weight. I personally recommend this addition to many of my weight loss patient’s diets with some great results. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can drastically improve energy, cravings, bowel motions and moods while undertaking a a nutritionally supportive weight loss program.

The Chinese Medicine Perspective of Adzuki Beans

Adzuki beans are traditionally described as have draining damp qualities. Since fat is seen as dampness in Chinese medicine, adding beans into your diet and especially adzuki beans will help with weight loss. They’re high in fibre to keep you full yet low in calories.

Energetically adzuki beans have a neutral thermal nature, sweet and sour flavour, affect the small intestine and kidney channels, detox the body, clears heat, moves stagnated blood, reduces swelling and dries. As well as weight control, adzuki beans can be used for treating diarrhoea, oedema, leukorrhea, ascites, boils and prolonged menstruation.

Adzuki Bean Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup adzuki beans
• 1 2-inch piece of kombu
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• ¼ cup rice syrup
• 1 tablespoon tamari

Preparation:

Soak adzuki beans and kombu in water overnight.

Drain adzuki beans and discard water. Finely chop the kombu and add to a heavy bottomed pot along with the beans, bay leaf, shallot, garlic, and carrot. Cover with water, bring to a boil, and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes, skimming off any foam that forms on top of the adzuki beans.

Cover the pot, reduce heat, and simmer about 40 minutes. Check the adzuki beans periodically and add water if they are not submerged in liquid.

Uncover pot; add herbs, rice syrup and tamari. Cook an additional 15-20 minutes, or until beans are very tender.

Serves 4-6