Health Benefits of Sprouted Soybeans
Ming dynasty scholar Chen Ni once praised sprouted soybeans in poetry: “There exists a thing, icy-white and jade-like, neither sinking into mud nor relying on support.”
Speaking of bean sprouts, there’s an amusing historical anecdote. During Emperor Qianlong’s southern inspection tour, he tasted a golden-yellow, crisp, and delicious dish at a farmer’s home. Impressed, he asked the woman what it was. Unaware she was speaking to the emperor, she joked: “This dish resembles a ‘Ruyi’ (auspicious symbol), so we call it ‘Ruyi Cai’ (Auspicious Vegetable).” Later, back in Beijing, Qianlong remembered “Ruyi Cai,” but his chefs couldn’t identify it. Eventually, a servant from Jiangnan revealed it was sprouted soybeans.
Recent scientific findings indicate that although soybeans have high protein content, they contain trypsin inhibitors that limit their nutritional value. Hence, experts recommend consuming soy products. During germination, these inhibitors are largely degraded. Sprouted soybeans increase protein utilization by about 10% compared to raw soybeans. Additionally, oligosaccharides in soybeans—such as stachyose, raffinose, and sucrose—that are indigestible and cause bloating—are drastically reduced or eliminated during sprouting, eliminating the bloating issue. Enzymatic activity during sprouting releases more calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, enhancing mineral absorption. After sprouting, vitamin C doubles, vitamin B2 increases 2–4 times, niacin rises over 2-fold, and folate levels double. Asparagine in sprouted soybeans surges, helping reduce lactic acid buildup and relieve fatigue. Sprouted soybeans also contain nitrophosphatase, which effectively combats epilepsy and reduces seizure frequency. Recent studies found sprouted soybeans contain interferon inducers, capable of triggering interferon production and boosting antiviral and anti-cancer immunity.
Like raw soybeans, sprouted soybeans have diuretic and detoxifying effects. For symptoms like dry mouth, sore throat, yellow phlegm, rib pain, scanty yellow urine, and constipation due to internal heat, try boiling 500–1000 grams of sprouted soybeans with one old tangerine peel in plenty of water over high heat for 4–5 hours. This decoction clears lung heat, removes yellow phlegm, promotes urination, and moistens internal organs.