GREEN PEAS
Restores energy, helps diabetes
Green peas are most often served as a side dish or garnish. That, however, is a terrible waste. Green peas are loaded with healthy proteins and amino acids like aspartic acid, which restores the body’s energy.
Green peas are also full of vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B6, choline and others). Vitamin B complex not only assists the body’s energy metabolism and helps us to recover from fatigue, but it also helps brain function in a significant way. Vitamin B1 breaks down the glycogen that accumulates in liver and muscle tissue into glucose that is supplied to the brain. In addition, choline stimulates brain activity. Vitamin B complex is also beneficial in the prevention of diabetes and high blood pressure.
In Japan, many families serve green peas mixed with rice at least once each season (Green pea season lasts from April through May.) They may not know it, but green peas and rice are a very sensible combination. As discussed earlier, the vitamin B complex in green peas turns sugars in the rice into energy.
By the way, did you know that green peas, sayaendo (podded peas) and edamame (green snack peas) are all “brothers?” The fully-developed and dried edamame are the oldest; green peas, which are harvested just before they are full developed, are next; and sayaendo, which are immature peas still in a pod, are the youngest members of the family.
Edamame contain fiber and vitamin B1, which converts sugars into energy, and vitamin A, which keeps the skin and the body’s membranes in good shape. For this reason, edamame are a staunch ally of women on diets who suffer from dry skin.
Sayaendo are loaded with vitamins A and C, known in Japan as the “golden cold-fighting combination.” Vitamin A prevents viruses from entering cells by strengthening cell membranes, and vitamin C destroys the viruses that succeed in making their way in. However, heat breaks down vitamin C, so be careful not to over boil sayaendo. After carefully removing the strings from the pods, quickly parboil the pods for no more than one or two minutes.
For high blood pressure, try green pea juice and for difficulty urinating, try green pea soup.
(The information provided should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Consult your physician before attempting any new program. Readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of developing serious medical conditions.)
