If you’re a Dragon Ball fan, you're familiar with the Senzu bean but what's the closest equivalent to the Senzu bean in our human world?
This green, lima bean like food is a fictional super food in the Dragon Ball universe that contains a massive amount of revitalizing properties. If we look back on some legendary fights, these beans have been consumed by Goku, Gohan and Piccolo, just to name a few. Every single time it was consumed, each one of them were immediately revitalized from severe damage and jumped right back up onto their feet to defend the planet. Although we do not have a single bean that can completely heal us from injuries, illnesses or have us instantly back on our feet, we do have our own beans that pack a punch with beneficial nutritional properties which in return can support our athletic performance and long-term health.
About the Senzu Bean?
Senzu beans are based off the human's world, lima bean. In the world of Dragon Ball, senzu beans are raw, uncooked that taste like fish and can keep a person full for ten days. These fictional beans from Dragon Ball can fully revitalize a damaged warrior, heal scrapes, cuts, and broken bones as long as they are still breathing. Essentially, the senzu bean will help one completely recover and rejuvenate.
Top 10 Nutritional Properties That Support Recovery and Rejuvenation?
Although there are numerous nutrients that can improve the immune system and support recovery and rejuvenation, here are the top 10 nutritional properties I looked for to determine what is the closest equivalent to a Senzu bean in our world.
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Fats
Caffeine
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Potassium
Zinc
Lima Bean
To start the list of senzu bean equivalents, we will start with the food that inspired the senzu bean, the lima bean. Understandably why the senzu bean was based off this specific bean, lima beans are packed with all the macronutrients, proteins, carbohydrates and fats in addition to a variety of minerals that support immune health, brain function and energy production. Although the the senzu bean is based off the lima bean and are eaten raw by the Z-Fighters, lima beans must be fully cooked for consumption.
Included Nutrients: Proteins / Carbohydrates / Fats / Fiber / Manganese / Copper / Magnesium / Iron / Potassium / Thiamin / Vitamin C / Vitamin B6 / Phosphorous / Calcium
Coffee Bean
Green (raw) coffee beans are packed with caffeine and antioxidants, the most abundant being chlorogenic acid which studies suggest that chlorogenic acid combats inflammation. Raw coffee beans are safe to eat however the taste is not so pleasant due to it’s bitter flavor and must be consumed in moderation to prevent side effects.
Included Nutrients: Carbohydrates / Protein / Fat / Potassium / Magnesium / Calcium / Phosphorus / Sodium / Caffeine
Cacao Bean
Cacao beans contain a variety of nutrients that can help improve the cardiovascular system, support major organ function, improve brain performance, improves mental health, and increase energy. Cacao beans are similar to the coffee bean in that it is rather bitter, can be consumed raw but must be consumed in moderation to prevent side effects.
Included Nutrients: Protein / Fat / Potassium / Copper / Vitamin B1 / Vitamin B2 / Calcium / Phenylethylamine / Theobromine / Polyphenols / Magnesium / Iron / Zinc / Flavanol / Dopamine / Serotonin
Edamame Bean
Edamame is a complete protein that contains all essential amino acids, is a source of fiber and multiple minerals which combined, can help with muscle growth and maintenance, muscle recovery, improve blood lipid profile and improve bone health. Any raw soy protein is considered poisonous. Due to this fact, edamame coming from the soy protein family, it cannot be eaten raw and must be thoroughly cooked.
Included Nutrients: Essential amino acids / Carbohydrates / Fat / Fiber / Calcium / Iron / Vitamin C / Vitamin K / Folate / Phosphorous / Copper
Black Bean
Black beans are a common bean that can be easily found in almost any grocery store and are included in many household recipes. Black beans are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help strengthen bones, protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and improve energy levels. Similar to the edamame bean, black beans cannot be consumed raw and must be fully cooked.
Included Nutrients: Protein / Carbohydrates / Fiber / Calcium / Iron / Sodium / Polyphenols / Magnesium / Phosphorous / Potassium / Folate / Vitamin A / Vitamin K
Kola Nut
Although not considered a bean, I found that the Kola nut is worth mentioning in this list due to its high caffeine properties and the ability to increase energy levels. Although it’s not commonly found raw in the American household kitchen, extracts of the Kola nut is a common food flavoring found in Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and energy drinks. Similar to the coffee and cacao bean, the kola nut can be consumed raw but in moderation to prevent side effects.
Included Nutrients: Caffeine / Protein / Zinc / Calcium / Magnesium / Copper / Iron
Mineral Details
Throughout this article, I've listed a number of nutrients and minerals but how exactly do these physiologically support the body?
Calcium – Supports bone strength, blood clotting, muscle contraction and regulates heart rhythms and nerve functions.
Caffeine - Increases circulation of cortisol and adrenaline
Copper – Energy production, iron metabolism , connective tissues synthesis and neurotransmitter synthesis.
Dopamine – feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation
Flavanol – Improve blood flow to the brain
Iron -Body uses iron to make hemoglobin, protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body and myoglobin, protein that provides oxygen to muscles.
Magnesium - Supports energy production, helps maintain bone strength, nerve and muscle function.
Potassium - regulates heartbeat, supports muscle contraction, maintain normal levels of fluid inside our cells.
Protein – Help repair and build body tissues. Transports and stores nutrients. Act as an energy source.
Phosphorus – formation of bones. Plays a role in how carbohydrates and fats are utilized. Needed for the body to make protein for growth, maintenance and repair of cells and tissues.
Polyphenols – Strong antioxidant and can neutralize free radcials by donating an electron or hydrogen atom.
Phenylethylamine – Increases serotonin in the brain
Sodium – Small amounts of sodium are required in the human body to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles and maintain balance of water and minerals.
Serotonin – carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body. Plays key role in body functions such as mood, sleep, digestion, wound healing, bone health and blood clotting.
Theobromine – Support blood flow & Anti-inflammatory / Nausea, sweating, trembling, digestive issues and headaches
Vitamin B1 – Converts carbohydrates into energy
Vitamin B2 – Helps breakdown proteins, fats and carbohydrates and plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s energy supply. Helps convert carbohydrates into Adenosine triphosphate which produces energy.
Vitamin K – Creates various proteins that are required for blood clotting and building of bones.
Zinc – wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function
Final Thoughts:
The senzu bean is one valuable, mystical bean in the Dragon Ball universe. With just one senzu bean, a fighter will be back on their feet in seconds prepared for battle. Although we do not have a bean in our lifetime that can help us instantly recover, we do have our own beans that can help improve our performance and health. Next time you think about the senzu bean, keep the lima, coffee, cacao, edamame and black bean in mind and if you really want a kick of energy, don't forget about the kola nut.
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Disclaimer: All information presented and written within this article are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you should choose to follow or participate in any workout, program or practice, you do so voluntarily and do not hold Initial Mile and it's founder responsible for any cause of injury or death. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.
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