Why has Three Bean Soup become the "Treasure Soup" of summer?

The basic ingredients of Three Bean Soup—mung beans, black beans, and adzuki beans—are all food and medicine of the same origin. Their complementary properties and effects make this bowl of soup not just a simple combination of beans, but a micro-formula that works synergistically to balance yin and yang.

Mung beans are cool in nature and sweet in taste, primarily used to clear heat and detoxify. They can dispel summer heat and have antioxidant effects, making them the top choice for summer health in traditional Chinese medicine. Black beans are neutral, nourish the kidneys, and enrich the blood, known as the "valley of the kidneys." They are rich in anthocyanins, vitamin E, and plant proteins, which are beneficial for resisting neurodegenerative diseases. Adzuki beans (also known as red beans) are famous for their ability to promote diuresis and reduce swelling, especially suitable for those with a damp-heat constitution and poor appetite.

When these three are cooked together in proportion, they can exert the effects of dispelling summer heat and promoting dampness without causing internal cold accumulation. For Parkinson's patients who are physically weak, easily fatigued, and have poor appetites in summer, Three Bean Soup is both gentle and practical, making it a classic representative of "nourishing in accordance with the seasons."

What negative effects does a damp-heat environment have on Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is a chronic degenerative disease of the nervous system, most commonly manifested as bradykinesia, tremors, muscle rigidity, and postural instability. Although the core of the disease is the loss of central dopamine neurons, both modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine have gradually realized that environmental factors and the body's metabolic state play a regulatory and amplifying role in the manifestation of the disease.

Summer is a season where dampness and heat coexist. For Parkinson's patients, the issues focus on the following aspects:

Decreased ability to regulate body temperature: Patients have abnormal sweating mechanisms and neural regulation functions, making them prone to heatstroke;

Dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach: Decreased appetite and impaired digestion and absorption affect nutrition and medication utilization;

Electrolyte imbalance: Excessive loss of sweat leads to weakness, dizziness, and fatigue;

Sleep and emotional issues: Damp heat affects sleep quality, exacerbating anxiety and further worsening the condition.

In this context, choosing a dietary therapy plan that has the effects of clearing heat and dampness and regulating the spleen and stomach is particularly important. Three Bean Soup perfectly meets this need, benefiting the clearing of damp heat without harming the spleen and stomach, making it a good strategy for harmonizing summer dampness.

What specific benefits does Three Bean Soup provide for Parkinson's patients?

Through multiple clinical observations and patient feedback, the application of Three Bean Soup in Parkinson's patients shows the following benefits:

First, it alleviates heat symptoms and harmonizes sweating.

The components of mung beans help regulate the body's heat balance. On hot summer days, when patients experience head swelling, flushed faces, and irritability, drinking an appropriate amount of Three Bean Soup can promote sweat discharge and lower body temperature, thereby reducing the risk of heatstroke.

Second, it dispels dampness and aids movement, alleviating joint discomfort.

Parkinson's patients already experience muscle stiffness, and if they are further troubled by dampness, the pain and difficulty in movement will significantly increase. The diuretic effect of adzuki beans can help the body expel excess dampness, while black beans can regulate blood and relax muscles; together, they can improve local congestion.

Third, it enhances appetite and digestive ability.

Patients often experience decreased appetite or constipation. The three beans are rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and improve bowel movements, while also providing gentle protection to the gastrointestinal mucosa, allowing for better absorption of nutrients and medicinal effects.

Fourth, it calms emotions and enhances neural stability.

The flavonoids and B vitamins in mung beans have antioxidant and neuroprotective functions. Long-term consumption of Three Bean Soup helps regulate nerve conduction, improve tolerance to external stimuli, and reduce fluctuations in the condition.

Fifth, it avoids amplifying adverse drug reactions.

In summer, when damp heat is heavy, the burden on liver and kidney functions increases, easily affecting drug metabolism. Three Bean Soup has a gentle protective and diuretic effect on the liver and kidneys, indirectly helping with drug safety and stability.

饮用三豆汤有哪些关键要点？

Although Three Bean Soup has significant effects, attention should be paid to the following aspects regarding the constitution of Parkinson's patients:

Proportions and cooking methods:

It is generally recommended to use 30 grams each of mung beans, black beans, and adzuki beans, soak for 2 hours, add enough water, and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes until soft. According to personal preference, a few slices of dried tangerine peel or a small amount of ginger can be added to enhance the spleen-nourishing effect.

Timing of consumption:

It is best to drink in the morning or before lunch when yang energy is strong, which is beneficial for spleen and stomach absorption. Drinking in the evening may affect digestion and nighttime urination, so it should be arranged accordingly.

Control of daily consumption:

Avoid drinking a large amount at once. It is recommended to drink in small bowls 2-3 times. Those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should pay more attention to moderation, and drinking once every three days is also acceptable.

Coordination with medications:

Three Bean Soup is a dietary therapy and should be avoided for at least one hour after taking medication. Especially when taking conventional Parkinson's medications like levodopa, it should be avoided to consume with protein-rich foods to prevent affecting drug absorption.

Individual constitution differences:

Those with yang deficiency, cold hands and feet, or prone to diarrhea should try a small amount first, and if necessary, add warming herbs like poria or roasted coix to adjust.

Improvements brought by a bowl of soup

Case 1:

Aunt Chen, 68 years old, from Guangdong, has had Parkinson's for 5 years. Every summer, she feels fatigued, has a yellow complexion, and poor sleep. Following the doctor's advice, she cooks Three Bean Soup three times a week and walks for 30 minutes every morning. After three weeks, she feels her spirit has improved, sweating has decreased, and the number of times she wakes up at night has also decreased. She jokingly says, "This bowl of soup is more reliable than many tonics."

Case 2:

Mr. Wang, 62 years old, from the north, has been ill for 3 years, is afraid of heat, has constipation, and significant joint pain. While adhering to medication treatment, his wife prepares a small bowl of Three Bean Soup for him daily, adding a little longan meat and poria for adjustment. After two months, his previously stubborn constipation has basically improved, and his physical strength has significantly recovered.

Case 3:

Ms. Zhao, 74 years old, has both hypertension and Parkinson's. When she first drank Three Bean Soup, she experienced bloating due to excessive consumption, so she changed to drinking it twice a week, combined with yam and coix porridge. After three months, her weight slightly decreased, her mood became more stable, and her blood pressure was easier to control.

These cases indicate that Three Bean Soup is not only suitable for Parkinson's patients but also has broad applicability for the elderly. The key lies in individualized dietary adjustments and moderate consumption, combined with daily routines and emotional management, to maximize its multiple health benefits.

Summer health begins with a bowl of Three Bean Soup

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "the correspondence between heaven and man, nourishing in accordance with the seasons." In the summer, where dampness and heat intertwine and emotional fluctuations are easy to arise, Parkinson's patients need to adapt their diet to the season more than others. The reason Three Bean Soup is highly regarded is not only due to its effects of clearing and moistening but also because of its flexible advantage of "using food as medicine and adjusting according to the individual."

Although Parkinson's is a chronic disease, it is not unmanageable or unchangeable. Beyond medication and rehabilitation treatment, dietary management is becoming an increasingly important auxiliary treatment path. Three Bean Soup may not "cure" Parkinson's, but it can provide a foundation of coolness and stability for patients in the scorching heat.

Don't forget that every time you lift the soup bowl and sip slowly, every adjustment in your body is a victory in self-care.