Can mung beans really neutralize toxins?
Feb 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
The components in mung beans, such as mung bean protein, tannins, and flavonoids, can bind with toxic substances in medications or food, forming precipitates that reduce or eliminate their toxicity. These precipitates are also not easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, in cases of food poisoning or drug poisoning, consuming mung bean soup or mung bean products may help improve treatment outcomes.
Mung beans have an auxiliary detoxification effect, but this does not mean they can neutralize the effects of all medications. The analysis is as follows:
Components in mung beans, such as mung bean protein, tannins, and flavonoids, can bind with toxic substances in medications or food, forming precipitates that reduce or eliminate toxicity. These precipitates are also not easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, in cases of food or drug poisoning, consuming mung bean soup or mung bean products may help improve treatment outcomes.
However, mung beans themselves do not have a direct detoxifying function and cannot render medications already ingested ineffective. The impact of mung beans on drug efficacy is mainly achieved by influencing the absorption and metabolism processes of medications. When taking traditional Chinese medicines for clearing heat, mung beans may have a complementary effect; however, when taking warming and nourishing medications, mung beans may reduce drug effectiveness.
During any medication treatment, especially when undergoing treatment for significant diseases, one should follow medical advice and avoid self-medicating with mung beans or other foods to attempt detoxification.
