Beans, an annual herb of the rose family, are widely cultivated edible crops all over the world. Due to its wide range of uses, it is widely used as a food ingredient in various cuisines, and it is also widely consumed in processed forms such as soy milk, tofu, soybean paste, and cheonggukjang. In addition, it contains a large amount of plant protein that is so abundant that it is called field beef, so it not only serves as an excellent source of protein, but also has excellent health benefits due to its rich content of saponins, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Soybean leaves, which refer to the leaves of soybeans, are said to contain as much nutrients as soybeans. In addition to isoflavones, anthocyanins, and saponins, the major core functional ingredients contained in soybeans, it is known to have various beneficial effects on the body as it additionally contains various components such as flavonos, flavones, and terrocarpanes. Soybean leaves have been mainly used as mul kimchi or pickled pickles in Gyeongsang-do, and as a side dish for meat and fish dishes in Jeju-do. Now, let’s learn about the main effects of soybean leaves one by one. Soybean leaf main effect
1. Vascular Health
Soybean leaves are rich in isoflavones, a key component of soybeans and a type of soy protein. This high content of isoflavones helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood and inhibit the formation of blood clots that inhibit blood flow by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Also, soybean leaves have a high content of saponin called vascular soap, which makes blood flow smoothly and purifies the blood. In addition, various components such as flavonols, flavones, and terocaphan induce inflammation and are excellent in inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is called bad cholesterol, in the blood. It’s possible.
2. Relief of menopausal symptoms
Isoflavones, which are abundant in soybean leaves, have a similar function to estrogen, a female hormone, enough to be called phytoestrogens. Based on its high absorption rate, it binds to and activates the estrogen receptor during absorption into the body, so it has an excellent effect in alleviating various menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, headache, tinnitus, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders. In the case of Pabaton soybean leaf, which was developed with this functionality in mind, it was also found that it has more excellent efficacy in relieving menopausal symptoms. In addition, during menopause, bone loss increases, which increases the risk of osteoporosis.
3. Cancer Prevention
The abundant isoflavones in soybean leaves inhibit the growth of cancer cells and have the effect of inhibiting cancer metastasis. It is known to have a beneficial effect in preventing the occurrence of various cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer due to these related actions. In addition, flavones and flavonols contained in soybean leaves have strong antioxidant properties, so they have a good effect in reducing the concentration of free radicals, one of the causes of cancer by attacking normal cells.
4. Weight Control
Soybean leaves are not only low in calories, but also contain isoflavones that inhibit the accumulation of body fat, making them effective as a diet food. In addition, the rich saponin component in soybean leaves can help prevent overweight and obesity by inhibiting the growth of intestinal villi, which is deeply related to the absorption of food into the intestine. It has been reported that soybean leaf extract has the effect of preventing obesity by interfering with the absorption of fat through human and animal tests.
other effects
In addition to the various effects mentioned above, the abundant isoflavones in soybean leaves have the effect of alleviating insulin resistance, which is said to help control blood sugar. In addition, it is said to help maintain a stable immune system that protects the body from various viruses and bacteria based on its excellent antioxidant action.
How to Pick and Care for Bean Leaves
When choosing soybean leaves, it is recommended to choose ones that are bright green and soft and soft, and it is recommended that the leaves are not too large. In addition, it is recommended to choose a soft top that is not harsh, and it is recommended to avoid those that are torn, have red spots or black, and eat insects. When cleaning bean leaves, wash them thoroughly, fold them one by one to remove moisture, and use them as ingredients for various types of cooking. Soybean leaves to be used immediately for cooking or to be consumed within 1 to 2 days are stored in a plastic or storage container and refrigerated.
