2026/07/17 by Hao Ran, M Zhang, Jiakai Wang +3 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Gut microbiota and health #Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities #Phytoestrogen effects and research
paper · pdf · doi:10.3390/nu18142353
openalex publication_date 2026/07/17 · openalex created_date 2026/07/20 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Background: Mung bean soup (MBS), as a common form of mung bean consumption, is widely consumed in folk to relieve summer heat. However, MBS is prone to red discoloration during cooking and storage. Furthermore, how this color change affects its phenolic compounds composition and bioactivity remains poorly understood. Objectives: Herein, this study systematically compared the phenolic profiles and heat stress (HS)-alleviating effects of normal mung bean soup (NMBS) and reddened mung bean soup (RMBS). Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (six-week-old) were randomly assigned to four groups: control (no HS), HS, HS-NMBS, and HS-RMBS. HS was induced at 40 °C for 2 h/day for 7 days, with NMBS or RMBS provided ad libitum throughout the experiment. Phenolic analysis, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota were evaluated. Results: The results showed that reddening significantly reduced the total phenolic and flavonoid contents by 18.28% and 16.77%, respectively, accompanied by the loss of key bioactive compounds (vitexin and isovitexin). NMBS and RMBS could effectively alleviate HS-induced physiological damages in mice to varying degrees, including reduced weight loss, improved hepatic and intestinal histopathology, and lower levels of oxidative stress and inflammation (p < 0.05). However, NMBS provided superior overall protection by downregulating the expression of HS-associated genes (PPAR-γ) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β), while upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, supplementation with NMBS or RMBS restored the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by HS. Especially, NMBS was more effective in restoring microbial diversity, modulating the F/B ratio, and enriching beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, and norankfMuribaculaceae. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of avoiding the occurrence of redness in MBS to maximize its efficacy.