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Black Bean, Black Sesame and Southern Date Soup

traditionally associated with nourishing the skin, supporting healthy bowel regularity, slowing greying, and calming allergic skin reactions

In short: Black Bean, Black Sesame and Southern Date Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with nourishing the skin, supporting healthy bowel regularity, slowing greying, and calming allergic skin reactions. It is most often made for digestive wellness, cleansing & regularity, skin & natural beauty. Total time about 1 hr 10 min. Key ingredients: black sesame seeds, southern dates.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
10 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 10 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Digestive WellnessCleansing & RegularitySkin & Natural BeautySleep & CalmEveryday Balance
Black Bean, Black Sesame and Southern Date Soup

Why people make this soup

The logic here is simple: black-pigmented foods are traditionally considered rich in antioxidants that benefit the kidneys, liver, and blood. Modern understanding supports some of this — both black soybeans and black sesame are high in vitamin E, anthocyanins, and plant-based antioxidants that are associated with reducing oxidative damage to cells, including skin cells. The dietary fibre in all three ingredients also supports gut regularity, which in traditional thinking is directly linked to skin clarity. This “three blacks” soup (san hei tang) has been a Cantonese household staple for complexion, hair, and gut health for generations. It is mild enough for young children, and the naturally rich, nutty flavour is genuinely pleasant.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Black soybeans · Randomized controlled trial, 100 participants · 2013
    Systolic blood pressure fell more in the black soy peptide group (-9.69 mm Hg) than in the placebo group (-2.91 mm Hg) after baseline adjustment. Plasma malondialdehyde decreased and superoxide dismutase activity increased compared with placebo.Limitation: Used an isolated peptide supplement rather than whole black soybeans, and followed participants for only 8 weeks, so the results may not apply to food intake.PubMed 23924691

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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