Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Mucuna pruriens contains 3.5-7% L-DOPA, a direct precursor to dopamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier to enhance neurotransmitter production. This mechanism supports fertility, mood regulation, and stress reduction through increased dopamine synthesis.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Kaunch Beej, also known as Mucuna pruriens, is a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia. The seeds are harvested and processed for medicinal use.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Research on Kaunch Beej includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that suggest its efficacy in improving male fertility and reducing stress. Some meta-analyses support its use for neurological health.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
{"macronutrients": {"protein": "25-30% of dry weight", "fiber": "10-15% of dry weight", "carbohydrates": "50-55% of dry weight", "fats": "5-7% of dry weight"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": {"Vitamin C": "3-5 mg per 100g", "Vitamin E": "1-2 mg per 100g"}, "minerals": {"Calcium": "100-120 mg per 100g", "Iron": "3-5 mg per 100g", "Magnesium": "120-150 mg per 100g", "Phosphorus": "250-300 mg per 100g", "Potassium": "1200-1400 mg per 100g"}}, "bioactive_compounds": {"L-DOPA": "4-7% of dry weight", "Serotonin": "0.1-0.2% of dry weight", "Nicotine": "trace amounts"}, "bioavailability_notes": "The bioavailability of L-DOPA is high, contributing to its effectiveness in dopamine enhancement. However, the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as phytates and tannins may affect the absorption of certain minerals like iron and calcium."}
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
L-DOPA in mucuna pruriens crosses the blood-brain barrier and converts to dopamine via aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. This increases dopamine concentrations in the substantia nigra and striatum regions. The elevated dopamine enhances hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function, improving testosterone synthesis and sperm production.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
A randomized controlled trial of 75 infertile men showed mucuna pruriens (5g daily) increased sperm count by 67% and motility by 57% over 3 months. Another study of 60 men demonstrated 38% improvement in dopamine levels and 27% reduction in cortisol after 12 weeks. However, most studies are small-scale with 50-150 participants, requiring larger trials for definitive efficacy claims.
Also Known As
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