Lowering Cholesterol by Adding Magic Black Soy Beans to Diet

Black soy beans are being dubbed "magic beans" after a study found they can prevent diabetes, lower fat and low cholesterol levels and control weight.

A group of researchers from Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea, fed rats a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet but gave some a black soy bean supplement. They found that rats which received 10 per cent of their energy from black soy beans gained half as much weight as those which were not receiving the bean supplement.

The results, in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, also showed that total blood cholesterol in the rats given the bean supplement fell 25 per cent and LDL or bad cholesterol fell 60 per cent.

The livers of rats fed black soy beans also weighed less than those which were not fed the supplement.

Researchers believe that black soy beans may help prevent obesity and contribute to the prevention of type 2 diabetes because of the way they change fat composition. Yellow soy beans have already been shown to lower cholesterol and black beans have had health uses in the past.

"Yellow soy beans are generally used in conventional diets or soy products, whereas black soy beans have been used as a component in oriental medicines to treat diabetes, blood circulation, hypertension, inflammation (and) hormone-dependent disorders after childbirth," the study authors wrote.

Diabetes WA educator and dietitian Sophie McGough said the study's findings supported what was already known about legumes.

"Legumes are actually perfect parcels of goodness for diabetics because they're low in fat, they're high in fiber and they're low GI (glycemic index)," she said.

Because soy beans had a low GI they could help diabetics keep their blood glucose levels under control.

"There's no one food that's going to be a magic bullet for diabetes but in the context of a healthy diet, legumes can be a great substitute for white bread or potatoes," she said. Nutritionist Jo Beer said the study was good news if it meant people would include more soy in their diet.

"Anything that's going to make people eat a little bit more fiber in their diet is going to be good and to make them more aware of these products that are around and that we know are good for you," she said. Canned black soy beans are available at some Oriental food stores and health food stores.

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