Tungkol sa Soybean Sprouts Bilang Bahagi ng Health Maintenance

Noong panahon ng Ming, si Chen Ni ay nagbigay ng tula tungkol sa soybean sprouts: "There is this thing, icy skin and jade-like texture, not entering the mud, roots not needing support."
Mayroong kuwento tungkol sa sprouts. Noong panahon ni Emperor Qianlong, sa isang rural household, siya ay kumain ng isang dish na kulay dilim at ginto. Ang emperor ay nasiyahan sa crispy, tender, at masarap na lasa, at tanong ang babaeng taga-baybayin kung ano ang dish. Ang babae ay hindi alam na siya ang emperor, kaya nagbiro: "Ito ay parang 'wish', kaya tinawag itong 'wish dish'." Pagkatapos bumalik sa Beijing, si Qianlong ay nalungkot sa "wish dish", at ang chef ay hindi alam kung ano ito. Hanggang sa natuklasan na ito ay soybean sprouts.
Recent research shows that although soybeans have high protein content, they contain trypsin inhibitor which limits their nutritional value. That’s why people are encouraged to eat soy products. During germination, most of these inhibitors are broken down. The protein utilization rate of soybean sprouts increases by about 10% compared to raw soybeans. Additionally, oligosaccharides like raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose—which are hard to digest and cause bloating—are drastically reduced or eliminated during germination, thus avoiding bloating after eating soybeans. During germination, enzymes release more calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and other minerals, increasing their bioavailability. After germination, vitamin C remains unchanged, but beta-carotene increases 1–2 times, vitamin B2 increases 2–4 times, niacin increases over 2 times, and folate doubles. The amount of aspartic acid increases dramatically, so eating sprouts helps reduce lactic acid buildup and relieve fatigue. Sprouts also contain nitrate phosphatase, which effectively prevents epilepsy and reduces seizures. Recently discovered, sprouts contain an interferon inducer that can stimulate interferon production, enhancing the body’s ability to fight viruses and tumors.
Like soybeans, soybean sprouts also have diuretic and detoxifying effects. For those suffering from heat symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, dry cough with yellow phlegm, stabbing pain in the ribs, yellow and scanty urine, and constipation, try buying 500–1000 grams of soybean sprouts, add one old tangerine peel, boil with plenty of water for 4–5 hours, and drink. This helps clear lung heat, remove yellow phlegm, promote urination, and moisten internal organs.