5 reasons you'll love miso, a traditional Japanese seasoning
What's the story
Writing about this makes 'miso' happy! Miso is a thick fermented soybean paste that happens to be one of the most delicious traditional seasonings in Japan. It is known to be exceptionally wholesome, offering a host of health benefits including smooth digestion and stronger immunity. Here are five reasons why you should savor this Japanese condiment as much as possible. Check them out!
Good for gut
May improve digestion
Miso features a probiotic strain called Aspergillus oryzae, which is known to improve gut health. It is helpful in reducing digestive ailments like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since it is fermented in nature, miso further helps improve digestive health by reducing the number of antinutrients in soybeans. For the uninitiated, antinutrients can reduce the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients.
Backed by science
May prevent cancer
Miso may prevent certain types of cancer, as backed by studies. Although high-salt foods may cause stomach cancer, miso, despite its high salt content, does not. A study compared high-salt foods like fish, pickled offerings, and processed meat with miso and found out that the latter wasn't linked to any increased risk of cancer. It may instead reduce chances of breast and liver cancer.
Stay strong
May boost immunity
Miso is loaded with nutrients including proteins, vitamin K, manganese, and copper, which make it incredibly healthy and good for the immune system. In addition to these nutrients, it also features zinc, which is known to improve metabolism and immunity, thereby protecting one against many bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. As it is rich in probiotics, it keeps your gut health at the top.
Good for the mind
May improve brain health
Miso is quite effective in improving one's cognitive health since it contains choline and B-vitamins such as niacin and folate that support cognitive function and development. Miso also helps enhance memory retention and reduce symptoms like anxiety, tension, stress, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition to this, since miso keeps your gut healthy, it automatically yields a positive impact on your gut-brain relationship.
So hearty
May promote heart health
Various studies around the world have uncovered the benefits of miso toward heart health. In a study published in the journal Nutrients, it was revealed that soy significantly reduces LDL "bad" cholesterol levels that cause heart-related ailments. Another study found that sipping on miso soup regularly can lower heart rate in individuals aged 50 to 81 without affecting their blood pressure.