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On a hot summer day, Wang Li stood in the kitchen, holding a bowl of freshly cooked mung bean soup in her hand, but she didn't drink it for a long time. As a 35-year-old graphic designer, she was recently diagnosed with mild diabetes. She remembers that when she was a child, every summer, her mother would cook a big pot of mung bean soup, saying that it could cool off the heat.
But now, she hesitated. She saw an article on the Internet with the title "Drinking mung bean soup in summer, does it raise blood sugar or lower blood sugar?" You might as well find out early and don't eat wrong. This left her confused: Could this bowl of mung bean soup, which seemed to be cool and relieving the heat, be a hidden danger for her blood sugar control?
Just when Wang Li was hesitating, her neighbor, Sister Li, knocked on the door and came in. Sister Li, a retired Chinese medicine practitioner, saw the mung bean soup in Wang Li's hand and said with a smile: Lili, drinking a bowl of mung bean soup on a hot day is the best way to relieve the heat, why don't you drink it?
Wang Li smiled bitterly and told Sister Li about her confusion. After listening to this, Sister Li said thoughtfully: "Mung beans are indeed a good thing, but for diabetics, there are indeed some problems that need to be paid attention to. Why don't we discuss it together? "
At this moment, Wang Li's best friend Zhang Mei made a video call. Zhang Mei, a nutritionist, heard about Wang Li's confusion and immediately said that she wanted to give some professional advice.
"Lili, you asked a good question." "Mung beans do have many health benefits, but for diabetics, they do need to be treated with caution. "
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Wang Li asked eagerly: "Meizi, does mung bean soup raise blood sugar or lower blood sugar?" "
Zhang Mei explained: "This question can't be generalized. Mung beans do contain some ingredients that may help lower blood sugar, such as dietary fiber and certain phytochemicals. But at the same time, mung beans also contain a certain amount of carbohydrates, which may cause blood sugar to rise. "
Sister Li nodded in agreement: "That's right, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, mung beans are cold and have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. But for diabetics, it is true that you need to pay attention to the amount and cooking method. "
At this moment, Wang Li's cousin, Dr. Zhao, also joined the discussion. As an endocrinologist, he is interested in this topic.
Dr Zhao said, "Mung beans are indeed a highly nutritious food. It is rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. However, we can't ignore its carbohydrate content either. "
Wang Li asked: "So, can diabetics drink mung bean soup?" "
Dr. Zhao replied, "You can drink it, but you need to pay attention to a few points. First of all, it is necessary to control the amount of consumption. Secondly, it is best to choose mung bean soup that has a shorter boiling time, as boiling for a long time will increase the sugar content in the soup. Again, it's best not to add sugar or other sweeteners. "
Zhang Mei added: "Yes, and it's better to choose mung beans with skin. Mung bean skin is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, which can help slow down the absorption of sugar. "
Sister Li also said: "From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, mung bean soup does have the effect of clearing heat and relieving heat. However, for people with a cold constitution or a weak spleen and stomach, drinking too much may cause diarrhea and other problems. Therefore, it still depends on the individual's physique. "
Wang Li listened attentively, but she was still a little puzzled: "What effect does mung bean soup have on blood sugar?" "
Dr. Zhao explains, "According to some studies, mung bean extract may help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help with blood sugar control. However, this does not mean that drinking mung bean soup directly lowers blood sugar. In fact, if you drink too much or add sugar, it can cause your blood sugar to rise. "
Zhang Mei added: "Yes, it's all about balance. Mung beans do contain some ingredients that may benefit blood sugar control, such as vitamin B1 and certain phytochemicals. But at the same time, it also contains a certain amount of carbohydrates, which may affect blood sugar levels. "
Sister Li nodded and said, "From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, mung beans have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dissipating heat and diuretic. These effects may indirectly contribute to glycemic control. However, as Western medicine says, it is still necessary to pay attention to the dosage and cooking method. "
Wang Li thought thoughtfully: "It sounds like drinking mung bean soup is a double-edged sword for diabetics." So what should I do to enjoy mung bean soup safely? "
Dr. Zhao advises: "First of all, it is important to control the amount of food consumed. In general, don't exceed 30 grams of dried mung beans at a time. Secondly, it is best to choose mung beans with the skin on, because the skin contains more dietary fiber. Also, don't cook for too long to retain more nutrients. Finally, never add sugar. "
"Also, you can consider adding some other ingredients to the mung bean soup, such as barley or red beans. This increases the amount of dietary fiber and helps to slow down the absorption of sugar. "
Sister Li also made suggestions: "From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, you can adjust according to your own constitution. If you feel cold, you can add some warm ingredients to the mung bean soup, such as a small amount of red dates or yams. "
After listening to these suggestions, Wang Li felt suddenly enlightened: "Thank you." I now understand that drinking mung bean soup is not simply a matter of right or wrong, but needs to be adjusted according to individual circumstances. "
Dr. Zhao nodded and said, "That's right." For people with diabetes, controlling blood sugar is a comprehensive process. The impact of a single food is often limited. The most important thing is to maintain a balanced diet, monitor your blood sugar regularly, and take your medication as prescribed. "
Zhang Mei added: "At the same time, don't forget the importance of exercise. Proper exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity and can be helpful for blood sugar control. "
Sister Li also said: "From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is also important to maintain a smooth mood. Being in a good mood is a great help to the body's yin and yang balance. "
Wang Li said gratefully: "Thank you for giving me so many useful suggestions. I know what to do now. I drink mung bean soup in moderation while paying attention to the overall balance of my diet and lifestyle. "
This discussion on mung bean soup and blood sugar not only solves Wang Li's confusion, but also provides us with a good example of how to scientifically look at the relationship between food and health in daily life. It reminds us that no food, especially for people with special health needs, cannot simply be categorized as "good" or "bad". Instead, we need to take into account multiple factors such as the nutrient content of the food, the health of the individual, how to consume it, and the dosage.
At the same time, this discussion also reflects the importance of integrative medicine. The combination of the precision of Western medicine and the holistic concept of Chinese medicine can provide us with more comprehensive health guidance.
Finally, we also see the importance of popular science knowledge. Ordinary people like Wang Li, through communication with professionals, are able to gain the right health knowledge to make better life choices. This reminds us that in the age of information explosion, we need to maintain a curious and learning attitude, and at the same time learn to discern the reliability of information.
Overall, whether it's mung bean soup or any other food, the key for diabetics is balance and moderation. Under the guidance of a professional doctor, the right way to manage blood sugar is to develop a suitable diet plan based on personal circumstances.
Bibliography:
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3. American Diabetes Association. 5. Lifestyle Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2019. Diabetes Care. 2019; 42(Supplement 1):S46-S60.
4. Li X, et al. Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.): Bioactive Polyphenols, Polysaccharides, Peptides, and Health Benefits. Nutrients. 2019; 11(6):1238.
5. Yeap SK, et al. Antihyperglycemic Effects of Fermented and Nonfermented Mung Bean Extracts on Alloxan-Induced-Diabetic Mice. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2012;2012:285430.