Soups
Cabbage and Mung Bean Soup
traditionally associated with clearing heat, supporting immunity, and soothing sore throats
In short: Cabbage and Mung Bean Soup is a soup that traditionally associated with clearing heat, supporting immunity, and soothing sore throats. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, immune support, oral & throat comfort. Total time about 70 min. Key ingredients: mung beans.
Why people make this soup
When the seasons change and respiratory illnesses circulate, many families in Hong Kong and southern China turn to this unpretentious little soup. It costs almost nothing to make, uses ingredients that are easy to find, and has no strong herbal taste — which makes it especially friendly for children. Baby bok choy brings a wealth of vitamins and minerals, while mung beans have long been prized in Chinese food culture for their ability to clear heat and support the body’s natural defences. The candied jujubes add a gentle sweetness and, importantly, temper the cooling nature of the beans so the soup is less harsh on sensitive stomachs. Nourilo recommends eating the solids — not just drinking the broth — to get the full benefit.
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.
- Mung beans
Breath hydrogen and methane were higher after wheat than after rice or mung bean noodles. Bloating scores after mung bean did not differ significantly from wheat, and mung bean produced gas levels similar to rice.Limitation: Small sample of 20 patients, with single meals tested rather than habitual intake, so longer-term effects of mung bean on symptoms are unknown.PubMed 31484315 · 1 more mung beans study - Red dates
Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies
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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