(7) Can Give Rise to Teeth Coarseness. Journal of East African Natural History 99:129226. According to the University of Kentucky Extension, a small-scale (100-foot row) production of Malabar spinach can generate around $120 net profit (Ernst 2017). Worldwide, over 170 million people are affected bymacular degeneration, while in the US there is a prevalence of 11 million individuals. Due to cooling action of this herb, the leaves are considered specific remedy for burns. It grows optimally in sandy loam soils with appropriate moisture and high organic matter content with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. "Basella alba (Malabar spinach)." Basella alba is used as substitute of spinach. Individuals with known oxalate urinary tract stones are advised to avoid eating them. To be safe, always remove all plant materials after harvest. The presence of flavonoid glycosides in the leaves of Malabar spinach results in resistance to tobacco cutworms (Spodoptera litura) (Aboshi et al. 15941 You also have the option of keeping them in an area away from light, and is quite damp for a day or 2. Invasive Species Compendium. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission. I love and grow Malabar, but now Im told I have hyperkalemia. Also, the phytochemicals in this green leafy vegetable help prevent macular degeneration, a chronic eye disease which causes a blind spot in the visual field or blurred vision. Malabar spinach leaves contain about protein 2.8%, fat 0.4%, carbohydrates 4.2%, calcium (200 mg per 100 gram of leaves), phosphorus (35 mg/100 g) and iron (10 mg/100 g). Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 82 (1): 914. But in the heat of summer, lettuce, kale, collards, and chard all turn bitter, bolt, or dry out. Lets take a closer look at the nutritional value and health benefits of Malabar spinach: Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron. Phytates and dietary fiber present in the leaves may interfere with the bioavailability of iron, calcium, and magnesium. Although in a different family than spinach, the leaves taste just like regular spinach. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. This mucilage is a great source of soluble fiber, much like pectin in apples. I found a few varieties that do better, but still not great. 1997, Oyewole and Kalejaiye 2012). Rop, N. K., T. M. Mutui, and E. K. Kiprop. Make this dutch baby pancake recipe (or pannekoeken) and use it to feed your family for breakfast, brunch, or even as a yummy dessert treat! Some of the common names for this herb are Ceylon spinach, Malabar spinach, saan choy (Chinese), mong toi (Vietnamese), alugbati (Philippines), Pui saag (Bengali), remayong (Malay), etc. Its steamed, then braised with acid added at the end. 2. Let me introduce you to a couple! Stephens, J. M. 2018. If youre predisposed to hyperuricemia or any related health risks, you may want to consider moderating your purine intake or seek alternative food options. The pH of the soil should be slightly alkaline, or around 7-8. This homemade ranch dressing is delicious and the ingredients are healthy so the dressing is too! I really love the combination of flavors we get from a vegetable dish with some meat that displays a distinct juiciness. Because Malabar spinach is a fast-growing vine that can grow six feet or even longer (Parkell et al. You will receive both educational newsletter emails, and promotional emails, at no cost to you. Required fields are marked *. Even if the spinach is available all . 2000. Start off by making sure youve got the right conditions for your Alugbati plant. Malabar spinach, also called Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach, or climbing spinach, is a member of the Basellacea family tree. The vine will grow rapidly in the heat of summer all the way through fall. Its recommended to avoid Malabar spinach for those who are prone to urinary tract stones and to drink lots of water as a preventative measure when consuming this vegetable. Also, because of Malabar's richness in phenolic compounds and vitamin C, Malabar extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, which offers protection against free radical mediated damages (Anusuya et al. var. What are the health benefits and side effects of Malabar spinach? It is native to India, Africa and other countries of Southeast Asia. Below is a recipe of spinach with chickpeas: READ THIS NEXT: Swerve vs Truvia Comparison, List Of 15 Foods High In Hyaluronic Acid To Improve Skin Health, Subungual Hematoma vs Melanoma Differences, Mung Beans (Vigna radiata) Side Effects, https://examine.com/supplements/basella-alba/. During low temperature growth of the plant are slow. After this, you can water the cuttings again if your soil is lacking in some moisture. Uric acid levels are typically 2.5-7.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in males and 1.5-6.0 mg/dL in females. Adenegan-Alakinde, T. A., and F. M. Ojo. Still, you can try making this work by making sure your Alugbati plants get full sunlight for most of the day. 2018). This disease may affect over 350 million people worldwide and its prevalence is rising. Eating 3 servings of green leafy vegetables could slow the mental decline by up to 40 percent, according to a 2015 study published in NCBI. "PLANTS profile for Basella alba (Ceylon spinach)." Folate is also an important nutrient to consume during pregnancy. If it is long enough to cut inch out of the lower part of its stem, and still have a good length left, this method should work! Malabar spinach is a vine, edible plant native to Asia and Africa. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); It is different from English spinach (Spinacea oleracea) in that the vine spinach is a creeper with bright, broad, dark green, This is also useful in gonorrhea and balanitis (inflammation of the end of the penis). Researchers have found that high uric acid levels in the body are correlated with an increased risk of diabetes. Although commonly featuring in many backyards across South Asian families, it is slowly gaining popularity in some of the tropical and temperate climates of America, Australia, and Europe for its lush, nutritious greens and tender stems. Spinach contains between 20 and 50 mg of purines per 100 grams. The leaves contain Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, flavonoids, saponins, ?- Carotene, water soluble polysaccharides, bioflavonoids, essential amino acids (arginine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan) and minerals (rich in calcium and iron compounds and contains a low percentage of soluble oxalates). You can even purchase her handmade products on Amazon! If your digestive system isn't able to fully process purines, or if you eat too many purines regularly, you may experience excess amounts of uric acid in your body. This vitamin is one of the essential compounds for DNA synthesis and growth. ENGLISH: Ceylon spinach, Malabar spi nach, Indian spinach SANSKRIT: Upodika HINDI: lalbachlu, Poi BENGALI: Puishak, ORIYA: Poi saga, KONKANI: Valchibhaji, KANNADA: Basalesoppu, TELUGU: Bachhali TAMIL: Kodip pasalai, Kodip Pasali MARATHI: Mayalu, PORTUGUESE: Bertalha FILIPINO: Alugbati SINHALESE: VelNiviti CHINESE: Lo kwai, Luo kai, Other common names: Ceylon Spinach, Malabar night shade, East Indian Spinach, Buffalo spinach, Surinam spinach, Vine spinach. This dish radiates warmth,and is hearty enough to also fill your stomach up. But other than its great taste, we also love to include it in dishes for its large stock of nutrients. Magnesium - 16%. Because of its high nutritional and medicinal values, Malabar spinach has been widely cultivated in Asia for use as a delicious leafy vegetable. The cooked vegetable useful in the mouth ulcers and constipation. My Ginisang Monggo with Inihaw na Liempo recipe puts together the richness of grilled meat with a satisfyingly savory mix of mung beans, tomatoes and more. -Back to Vegetables from Basella. Most studies suggest getting at least 500 mg per day. Have a question? The cooked roots can help to treat constipation and diarrhea; also, the paste of leaves can treat boils, sores, and wounds (Deshmukh and Gaikwad 2014, Fern 2014, Singh et al. Gastro protective - The mucilage content helps in smooth digestion, prevent the absorption of cholesterol and helps in easy evacuation of stools. Optimal mean annual rainfall ranges from 80 to 100 inches, but Malabar spinach can tolerate 30 to 160 inches (Fern 2014). Keeping it contained is the best thing to do for ease of use. In either case, fleshy greens and terminal, tender 8-12 inches stem harvested about 35 to 45 days after planting (about 50 days after seedling). One of the main secrets to this dish is the marinade for our meat. In the southern parts of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Sri Lanka, its leaves and stem are used in numerous variations to prepare curries, stews, soups, etc., and eaten with rice, bread (roti), and noodles. Demand for Malabar spinach may be driven by its health benefits. What is Alugbati in English? (read more). Typically uric acid dissolves in your blood, your kidneys filter it out and then flush it from the body through the urine. This medicinal plant is used both internally and externally for the treatment of diseases. All of these foods have a high purine content. Moisture plays a key role in Malabar spinach development, because lack of moisture may lead to a bitter-tasting leaf and blooming (Figure 4). 2016. The leaves poultice is applied externally on the affected body areas. And when you need more Alugbati, all you will have to do is cut off the roots and use it for your recipe of choice! 2016), it is typically grown on a trellis or fence to help climbing and to facilitate periodic pruning by cutting off the fleshy leaves and overlong vines to keep desired shape (Cornell 2006, Singh et al. In addition to natural fiber (roughage) found in the stem and leaves, its mucilaginous leaves facilitate easy digestion of food. 2012. This ingredient also possesses a great deal of dietary fiber, which can help slow down sugar absorption in your blood. This spinach is a potential cash crop to Florida, being grown currently only for niche markets. Annual or biennial, branched, smooth, twining herbaceous vine, several meters in length;Stems are purplish or green;Leaves fleshy, ovate or heart-shaped, 5 to 12 cm long, stalked, tapering to a pointed tip with a cordate base, mucilaginous;Spikes are axillary, solitary, 5-29 cm long;Fruit fleshy, stalkless, ovoid or spherical, 5-6 mm long, and purple when mature. 2012. 2018). The leaves are also used traditionally in inflammation of respiratory tract, cold, cough due to demulcent action. Malabar spinach is extremely vulnerable to frost and should not be planted until the soil temperature reaches 65F75F to reduce risk of frost damage, usually 2 to 3 weeks after last frost date (Cornell 2006). "Explore Cornell: Home gardening flower growing guides." Adequate intake of water is, therefore, encouraged to maintain normal urine output. Unlike true spinach, which does better in the fall and spring, Malabar spinach loves the heat of summer. African Journal of Horticultural Science 6:111117. It may take two to three weeks to germinate the seeds at the optimal temperature of 65F75F (Cornell 2006). (1) Can Hinder Absorption of Minerals. Source: USDA-ARS, National Nutrient Database available at https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/?query=ndbNumber:11587, Nutritive value of cooked Malabar spinach. copyright 2009-2023 @ Umesh Rudrappa. For Alugbati specifically, the leaves are heart-shaped and usually about 5 to 12 centimeters long. red meat. Hi M! Basella alba ("alba" means "white" in Latin) has dark green oval or round leaves (Figure 1); B. rubra ("rubra" means "red" in Latin) has reddish oval-to-round leaves; and B. cordifolia ("cordifolia" means "heartleaf" in Latin), a synonym to B. alba, has dark green cordate leaves (Fern 2014). 100 g fresh leaves provide 8000 IU or 267% of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of this vitamin. Leafy Greens in Hydroponics and Protected Culture for Florida. Researchers have found that high uric acid levels in the body are correlated with an increased risk of diabetes.. Alugbati is actually known as Malabar spinach, Indian spinach or vine spinach in most other countries, but it isnt actually a kind of spinach. 1. And because it grows great in hot weather, cooks love to utilize it when salad greens arent available. With that in mind, a gout diet should avoid or limit these foods: organ meats, such as brain, sweetbreads, heart . However, plants may still be susceptible to fungal leaf spots (Cercospora beticola), snails (Achatina fulica), and nematodes (Pratylenchus penetrans) (CABI 2020), which may result in reduced plant growth and leaf quality (Ernst 2017). Medicinal Plant Malabar Spinach (Basella alba rubra). The plant is reported to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation, inflammation, skin diseases, burns, ulcers, diarrhea and fluid retention. Methanol extracts of Malabar spinach showed great antimicrobial activity against E. coli and effective antiviral activity that is attributed to the presence of ribosome-inactivating proteins (Bolognesi et al. Basella or vine spinach is a popular tropical leafy-green vegetable, commonly grown as a backyard herb in the home gardens. Submit your question or comment below. All rights reserved. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene9529.html, https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/c28fd084-e5f5-4d31-9b26-bc11f0388b07, https://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www.uky.edu.ccd/files/malabar.pdf, http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Basella+alba, https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#, https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/?query=ndbNumber:11587, https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/?query=ndbNumber:11986, https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BAAL2, UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The green has no distinctive flavor of its own, however, once cooked, it mixes well Does spinach high in uric acid. And especially if youre a Filipino, you will at one point learn to enjoy and relish in your heaps of leafy greens in one plate. Malabar spinach is favored by many home gardeners because of its high resistance to many common pests and diseases (Ernst 2017). Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron. 100 g fresh leaves provide 140 g or 35% of folates. There dont seem to be many pests or diseases that invade Malabar spinach, so minimal use of something like neem oil is probably not necessary. However, being more mucilaginous, it adds thick, glue-like consistency to the recipes. The leaves are also used traditionally in inflammation of . Filled with the goodness of shrimp, Chinese eggplant, okra and more, my Laswa recipe is a celebration of fresh and delicious ingredients in one bowl. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#, USDA-ARS. Its important to be aware of the possible side effects, but overall, this vegetable is definitely worth incorporating into your diet. For gout sufferers, spinach can cause gout pain relapse. Your uric acid levels won't be increased if you consume spinach. Most of these, including lettuce, usually thrive in colder tempreatures. The leaves in Alugbati also provide compounds youll need to keep your body away from free radicals. Food Preservation Science 26 (4): 211217. Other common names include Vine Spinach, Red Vine Spinach, Creeping Spinach, and Ceylon Spinach. A. Kalejaiye. The leaves and berries of Malabar spinach contain vital compound betalains which are natural plant pigments, better than . Protein - 1.8 gr. This vegetable can also be fried or stewed with such items as mushrooms, sliced pork, and eggs. Although both green and red leaves variety are eaten as vegetable but green variety is cultivated commercially. Lets consider the Chaga mushroom! Debra is a master gardener, a certified herbalist, a natural living instructor, and more. disclaimer). The opinions expressed herein are authors personal opinions and do not represent any one's view in anyway. It can truly hype up the taste of our pork belly. In Asia, basella is identified with different names. Basella cordifolia has the highest content of anthraquinone among all three Basella species (Adenegan-Alakinde and Ojo 2019). When its done, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. #1 A Good Source of Iron This vegetable can be eaten either raw in salad mixes or stir-fried with garlic. 100 grams of red spinach contain approximately 10 grams carbohydrates [3] 1 gram dietary fibre 4.6 grams protein 42 milligrams sodium 340 milligrams potassium 111 milligrams phosphorus 368 milligrams calcium 2 milligrams iron 2018). The berries are also employed in jam and jelly in Sri Lanka. Demulcents are agents that form soothing layer on mucous membrane thus giving relief in pain and inflammation. rubra Stewart. Studies show that consuming cruciferous vegetables and leafy green vegetables (such as watercress, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts,cabbage, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, and collards) can substantially protect against the occurrence of numerous types of cancers, especially breast, colon, and prostate cancers. "Excess levels of uric acid, or hyperuricemia, appear to be the main cause of gout," says Sophia Kamveris, MS, RD, LDN, a Boston-based nutritionist and author of the 28-Day Gout Diet Plan. If so, share your experience! As I have mentioned already, spinach is rich in specific flavonoids such as kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Then pour some water inside until the Alugbati is partially submerged, and the water should only be somewhat deep. Fischer, E., K. Rembold, A. Althof, and J. Obholzer. Welcome to the movement! After this preparation, youre all good to go with growing some vine spinach! Once uric acid rises above 0.42 mmol/L (millimoles per litre), crystals can start to form in tissues and joints, particularly. It is botanically not a true spinach yet it resembles it. Now place them at 15 to 20 centimeters between hills, and 20 to 30 between rows. The seed of Malabar spinach usually has a rounded shape and brown-black color (Figure 2). 2012. The leaves have diuretic action. It is a good source of potassium, an essential mineral that can help reduce the effects of sodium in the human body. Unlike spinach, the mucilaginous quality of Malabar spinach allows it to sustain the heat of soups and stews, making it a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine (Deshmukh and Gaikwad 2014, Fern 2014). By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems, Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy, Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Vegetables (excluding asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, and green peas). raw, Nutritive value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base). Spinach contains excellent amount of Vitamin K and Vitamin A. Malabar spinach will grow well in a variety of soil conditions but prefers a moist fertile soil with plenty of organic matter and a soil pH of between 6.5 and 6.8. Ive had plants in the same pots with a trellis for a few years now and they keep reseeding year after year. I made the mistake of letting mine get into the trees one year and it was really difficult to harvest! "Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of forms of Basella." A lack of Vitamin B-12 has previously been shown to lead to more chances of getting fatigue, paranoia and depression. This homemade ranch dressing is delicious and the ingredients are healthy so the dressing is too! I have been growing Malabar for a few years now. According to Rujuta Diwekar, normal uric acid levels in females are 2-6 mg/dL and in males, 3-7mg/dL. Likewise, Alugbati makes for a great leafy component to add to our dish. Soy products Products made. A number of health risks may arise if either occurs, such as:, Excessive purine intake can lead to hyperuricemia, a condition caused when there's too much uric acid in the bloodstream. CCD-CP-130. Ceylon spinach is useful for pregnant women due to its high content of folate (also referred to as vitamin B9), which ensures normal development of the babys nervous system. Di Maro, A. Parente, M. Di Loreto, and F. Stirpe. The paste of leaves is applied externally on ulcers, boils and abscesses to hasten suppuration. Spinach, MalabarBasella rubra L. HS671. International Journal of Vegetable Science 25 (5): 431440. "New ribosome-inactivating proteins with polynucleotide: Adenosine glycosidase and antiviral activities from Basella rubra L. and Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd." The fresh leaves juice of the plant can be taken in a dose of 10-20 ml. You can use this spinach in the same way you use regular spinach lightly steamed or cooked, raw in salads, or used in soups, stews, and stir-fries. Basella rubra has pink or purplish stems and pink color veins running across its leaves. Your body successfully digests and expels most purines without difficulty, however, this isn't always the case. Anti-aging - The antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin helps to prevent aging process by protecting cell damage by free radicals. It is grown as pot herb in almost every part of India. Malabar spinach ( Basella spp.) Since youll be planting from home, it will be best to use cuttings for your garden. But if you live in a colder place, your plants development might be a little slower, and yield less produce. While we all love to indulge in guilty pleasure dishes every once in a while, there truly is something refreshing about eating healthy food. Accessed May 4, 2020. https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/c28fd084-e5f5-4d31-9b26-bc11f0388b07, Ernst, M. 2017. Eating too much Malabar spinach can interfere with the bodys ability to absorb minerals due to its oxalic acid and purine content. This improves the functioning of tissues and organs, and also, prevents fluids from accumulating in tissue matrices. Uric acid is a natural compound in your . co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. This leafy vine is native to tropical Asia and thrives in hot summer weather. They also exerts significant anti-urolithiatic (against stone) activity by lowering the elevated levels of oxalate, calcium and phosphate in urine, further calcium, creatinine, and uric acid in serum. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve, but it will help you feel comfortable throughout the day. Rubra seems to be slightly higher in antioxidants, probably due to the purple color. If uric acid remains in the body for too long, it can crystallize and cause a number of health risks. The leaves are also eaten raw as salad. visual distortions, like straight lines seeming bent; decreased intensity or brightness of colors; an increasedblurriness of printed words; increased difficulty adapting to low light levels; the need for brighter light when doing close work; Cook the garlic in a saucepan with olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. After you cut the half inch off, put what is left of the Alugbati inside a jar. It is a very good source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. And it also provides 23 percent of the RDA for manganese. Alugbati, the ingredient, actually comes from a herbaceous vine with the scientific name Basella alba L. And this comes from the Madeira-vine family, all of which possess relatively fleshy leaves and tuberous rootstocks. Climbing spinach contains nitrite (compounds found naturally in some foods) which cures the heart diseases linked with fat deposition. Malabar spinach fruit, with developing seeds, rounded shape, and brown-black color. Then well be mulching this or covering it with a layer of grass clippings or some rice straw. Through this, we can bring the best out of our vegetables and fruits. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 4 (3): 714720. Uric acid is eliminated from the body in urine. This disorder is characterized by an increase in uric acid levels in the blood of more than 7 mg / dl. Alugbati is a leafy green plant that is most commonly consumed in warm regions of the world. Additionally, lightly cooking spinach reduces the oxalic acid content. A half-cup of cooked spinach contains 755 milligrams. Potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta Eggs (in moderation) Meats like fish, chicken, and red meat are fine in moderation (around 4 to 6 ounces per day). Source: USDA-ARS, National Nutrient Database available at https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/?query=ndbNumber:11986. According to a study, Malabar spinach contains phytochemicals like quercetin, myricetin, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and gallic acid. Dont think twice about keeping this for cooking later on, as you definitely have a large array of recipes to choose from that work perfectly with Malabar spinach. It was probably naturalized in China, tropical Africa, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Fiji, French Polynesia, and the West Indies (Fisher et al. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Spinach Leafy greens like spinach contain many vitamins and minerals, but they're also high in oxalates. It also contains good amounts of many B-complex vitamins such as folate, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), and riboflavin. Mop dry using a paper towel or soft cotton cloth. Health Benefits of Malabar spinach. Further, basella leaves are good sources of minerals like potassium (11% of RDA/100 g), manganese (32% of RDA/100 g), calcium, magnesium, and copper. Too many purines in the body can cause uric acid in the kidneys to crystallize and harden, resulting in kidney stones. "Effects of storage temperature on the keeping quality of Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.)." Purine is produced naturally in your body and is also found in certain foods. The ripe fruit of Malabar spinach is a good source of natural dyes, which could be used either for a titrimetric reaction indicator or for food colorant, because the effective pigment (betacyanin) can maintain enough stability in changing pH, temperature, and light conditions (Deshmukh and Gaikwad 2014, Fern 2014). 2010. His goal is to introduce Filipino Food and Filipino Cuisine to the rest of the world. She taught Matt and Betsy how to make soap so they decided to bring her on as a staff writer! Beer is especially high in purines and has been found to increase uric acid levels when consumed regularly., Sardines and anchovies have some of the highest levels of purines out of the various kinds of fish Reshmi, S. K., K. M. Aravinthan, and P. S. Devi. Purine in our foods breaks down into uric acid in our bodies, so reducing dietary purine helps reduce uric acid levels. Malabar cannot tolerate any frost (Cornell 2006, Fern 2014). However, in the US and European markets only selected It has a high amount of protein for a plant and is also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Eating plenty of vegetables, legumes, and beans is good for your health and may help you lower your uric acid levels ( 4, 13 ).