Did You Know…that an unusual tea may hold a powerful secret to fending off unwanted pounds and preventing disease?
Kuromame tea, made from black soybeans, is a popular drink in Japan—and may be part of the Japanese secret for maintaining healthy weight and preventing disease. Obesity is considered one of the most dangerous health threats in the developed world, so any natural plant food that combats it is worth our attention.
Polyphenols Powerhouse
Black soybeans, native to China, have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to clear toxins from the body and to support healthy urination. Some of the health benefits linked to black soybeans come from polyphenols—natural compounds with proven anti-aging properties.
Polyphenols are found in many plant foods, especially colorful fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and citrus fruits, as well as in grains and vegetables such as black rice and onions and potatoes.
Black soybeans contain a specific polyphenol called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is recognized by scientists for its disease-fighting properties, which include proven benefits in…
Preventing cancer
Fending off age-related damage
Reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis
Lowering cholesterol
Promoting lipid metabolism
A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that anthocyanin inhibited fat absorption. The study was conducted in a group of mice that were fed a higher fat diet than the control group mice. Despite ingesting more fat, the mice did not gain weight. |
Isoflavones—The Key to Shedding Fat?
Isoflavones are a type of antioxidant associated with their effects for preventing certain types of cancer, especially breast cancer. Like polyphenols, isoflavones improve lipid metabolism. This is key, because lipid metabolism is the engine that drives your weight loss. In particular, lipid metabolism fuels fat loss.
The black soybeans in kuromame tea are loaded with isoflavones.
Two other key substances in black soybeans contribute to an even more powerful weight loss punch:
Fiber: Black soybeans are very high in fiber, which is known for helping to lower cholesterol and preventing steep rises in blood sugar levels.
Saponin: This chemical compound inhibits the absorption of fat.
Brew Up A Cup
You can buy black soybeans and other foods made from black soybeans (such as tofu) in some health food stores and online. You can even find kuromame tea ready to brew. However, food experts say it’s quite easy to make your own tea from the soybeans.
All you need to do is throw a handful of black soybeans in a skillet and roast them over high heat for several minutes. No other ingredients need to be added to the pan. When the skin cracks and the beans turn brown, remove them from the skillet and put them into a French press or whatever utensil you like to use for preparing tea. Finally, you pour boiling water over the roasted beans and allow it to brew for a few minutes. You can also let it sit until you are finished drinking the tea.
You may experiment and adjust the ratio of beans to water to suit your own taste. More beans results in a richer, smokier flavor, while more water creates a more diluted tea.
Finally, once you’ve enjoyed your cup of tea, you can also enjoy the black soybeans themselves—now softened by the hot water—as a tasty and healthy snack full of fiber and other health-promoting substances.
