팥(赤小豆)의 성분과 효능
adzuki bean, red bean
우리나라와 중국에서는 콩과의 팥(Phaseolus angularis Wight) 또는 덩굴팥(Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh)의 씨를 말한다. 일본에서는 공정생약으로 수재되지 않았다.
기록에 의하면 시경에서 팔곡(八穀)을 서(黍), 직(稷), 도(稻), 량(粱), 화(禾), 마(麻), 숙(菽), 맥(麥)이라 하였는데 이 중에서 숙은 대두(大豆)를 말하며 소두(小豆)는 답(荅)이라고 하여 서로 구별하였다고 한다. 답 중에서 적두(赤豆), 백두(白豆), 녹두(綠豆)를 모두 소두(小豆)라고 하지만 특히 적소두(赤小豆)는 약에 넣는 붉고 작은 것이라 하여 지금의 팥을 의미하고 있다.
이 약은 향기가 조금 있고 씹으면 콩과 같이 비리며 맛은 달고 시며 성질은 평하다.[甘酸平]
적소두는 이뇨, 소염, 배농, 해열에 효능이 있으며, 전신부종, 간경화, 황달, 종기, 화농성 질환, 수종, 각기병, 소갈, 이질설사 등에 쓰인다.
약리작용으로 볼거리염, 타박상, 유즙분비촉진 등이 보고되었다.
적소두 [赤小豆] (두산백과)
팥의 품종은 정리되어 있지 않고 재래품종이 재배되고 있으며 홍천적두(洪川赤豆)가 대립(大粒)·조숙·다수(多收)로서 가장 우수하며, 이 밖에 조숙종인 진천적두(鎭川赤豆), 만숙종인 영동적두·문의적두 등이 우량시되고 있다.
팥에는 녹말 등의 탄수화물이 약 50％ 함유되어 있으며, 그 밖에 단백질이 약 20％ 함유되어 있다. 씨껍질의 색소는 안토시안이므로 알칼리나 철냄비에 끓이면 검은색을 띠고, 산이나 공기에 접촉하면 붉은색을 띤다.
팥 [red bean] (두산백과)
한의학에서도 약재로 쓰이는 팥
중국, 일본, 한국에서는 팥으로 디저트도 만들고 주요리로도 많이 이용합니다.
외국분들은 팥으로 디저트를 만든다고 하면 이상하게 생각하시더군요.
팥에는 어떤 성분과 효능이 있고 어떻게 우리 몸에 도움이 되는지 알아보겠습니다.
한의학적으로도 팥은 어떤 효능이 있는지에 대해서 알아봅시다.
8 Interesting Benefits Of Adzuki Beans
The most unique and important health benefits of adzuki beans include their ability to aid in weight loss, prevent and manage diabetes, optimize digestion, contribute to growth and repair, increase energy, lower blood pressure, reduce birth defects in infants, and detoxify the body. 체중감소, 당뇨 예방 및 관리, 소화 최적화, 성장 및 회복에 도움을 주고, 에너지를 향상시키고, 혈압을 낮추고, 태아의 선천성 결함을 줄여주고, 몸을 해독한다.
What Are Adzuki Beans?
These small beans are native to East Asia and the Himalayan region and are commonly eaten in Japan, China, Korea, and other Asian nations, although they can be found in other parts of the world due to exportation. The name adzuki comes from the Japanese language, although the pronunciation often sounds like “azuki”. These beans are primarily red in color, but white, black, and mottled cultivars can also be found in certain areas. The scientific name of the beans is Vigna angularis, and they grow annually.
These beans are primarily used for sweetened culinary applications in Asian nations, such as in the preparation of natto in Japan. When adzuki beans are boiled and sweetened into a red bean paste, the applications are endless, in savory dishes, sweet desserts, sushi, candy, cakes, or as a topping for waffles, biscuits, or bread. It can even be used to make ice cream. Most people think of beans as savory, but adzuki beans are meant to be sweet.
Health Benefits Of Adzuki Beans
Besides the unique flavor, the nutrients of adzuki beans are also quite important; let’s take a look at the health benefits of adzuki beans.
Improved Digestion
Like most bean varieties, adzuki beans are high in dietary fiber 풍부한 식이섬유, one of the key elements of digestive health. Fiber stimulates peristaltic motion, moving food through the digestive tract and enabling the smooth intake of nutrients from food. Fiber also helps to eliminate constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, as well as more serious conditions like colon cancer.
Diabetes Prevention 당뇨예방
The dietary fiber in adzuki beans has a second purpose, regulating the activity of insulin receptors in the body to ensure that blood sugar levels remain normal. This can help prevent the onset of diabetes or manage the symptoms and prevent those spikes and drops that are so dangerous for diabetics.
Improved Heart Health
Folate, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber all combine into a powerful cardiovascular boost in adzuki beans. 팥에는 엽산, 칼륨, 마그네슘과 식이섬유가 전부 결합하여 강력한 심혈관계의 부스터 역할을 해준다. Dietary fiber helps to balance cholesterol levels, while potassium relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, thereby reducing the blood pressure and strain on the heart. This can help lower your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which means protecting you from a heart attack and stroke.
Growth & Repair 성장과 회복
There is a significant amount of protein in adzuki beans, which is a crucial element of our diet, particularly for vegetarians and vegans who don’t get protein from animal sources. 팥에는 채식주의자가 육류로부터 얻을 수 없는 우리 식이에 필수불가결한 단백질이 상당량 함유되어 있다. Proteins break down into essential amino acids that our body needs to create new cells, tissues, and organs for both growth and repair. Foods like adzuki beans can also provide us with an energetic boost due to that high protein content.
Weight Loss 체중감량
Many people in Asian countries and abroad turn to adzuki beans (and other bean varieties) for weight loss. The dietary fiber and protein content sates the appetite and makes you feel full, without contributing a sizable amount of calories. 115 grams of adzuki beans (1/2 cup) is only equivalent to 150 calories, which means that you can get a whole lot of nutritive benefits without packing on any pounds.
Detoxification 해독작용
Adzuki beans contain a unique mineral known as molybdenum 몰리브덴 in quite high concentrations. This is a trace mineral and is not found in many foods, but it plays a crucial part in the detoxification of the liver. 많은 식품에서 찾기 힘들고 미량의 미네랄이지만 간의 해독작용에 있어서 중요한 역할을 한다. Even a half-serving of adzuki beans provides 100% of the daily recommended intake of molybdenum. 팥 1/2인분이 몰리브덴 하루 필요량의 100%를 제공한다.
Prevention of Birth Defects 태아 결함 예방
The high content of B vitamins, particularly folic acid, can prevent the development of birth defects in unborn babies. Neural tube defects are a direct result of a folate deficiency, so the high content in adzuki beans can ensure a healthy delivery.
Better Bone Health 뼈 건강을 개선
If you want to prevent osteoporosis and delay the onset of “old age”, adding minerals like zinc, copper, and magnesium to your diet can seriously boost your bone strength and prevent bone demineralization. Adzuki beans also contain these important minerals to keep you feeling young.
Word of Caution: Red bean paste is often an acquired taste, and many people are disgusted by the smell. However, other people find it to be very pleasant. If you are the former, try a different bean, but if you’re the latter, then enjoy! Adzuki beans are not known as an allergenic food.
