Miso Soup health benefits improving gut health, strengthening bones, supporting muscle growth, supporting cardiovascular health, fighting free radicals, supporting weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, preventing cancerous cells, maintaining stress and anxiety, supporting immune system and slowing down aging process.
Consuming a warm bowl of miso soup can treat your nervous, immune system; improve your bone health, alleviate factors that contribute to chronic diseases, and delay early aging because it is a powerhouse of various vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants. When you incorporate it into your diet, it functions to protect your body from internal and external health-damaging elements.
What is Miso Soup?
Miso soup is a delicacy associated with the Japanese and Chinese cuisine for centuries. The soup is made with plenty of nourishing foods options such as koji, sea salt, soybeans, rice and other grains after fermenting them for three months to 3 years.
Miso soup tastes sweet and salty. Its light yellow color indicates minimum fermentation whereas the soup gets darker if fermented for a longer period.
It contains various roots vegetable and leafy greens as well – therefore, considers a healthy meal. You can find four distinctive variations in miso soup such as:
- White miso (shiro)
- Red miso (aka)
- Barley miso (mugi)
- Yellow miso (Shinshu)
Nutritional Value of Miso Soup
Here is a chart showing the nutritional value of miso soup (prepared with water, from paste) per 100 grams:
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 40 kcal |
| Water | 88.50 g |
| Protein | 2.91 g |
| Total Fat | 1.36 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.19 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.28 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.77 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.69 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g |
| Sugars | 1.16 g |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 15 IU (0% DV) |
| Vitamin K | 13.1 µg (11% DV) |
| Folate | 11 µg (3% DV) |
| Potassium | 70 mg (1% DV) |
| Calcium | 16 mg (2% DV) |
| Iron | 0.61 mg (3% DV) |
| Magnesium | 8 mg (2% DV) |
| Phosphorus | 19 mg (3% DV) |
| Sodium | 373 mg (16% DV) |
- Note: Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Miso soup is relatively low in calories but contains a notable amount of sodium. It provides a moderate amount of protein and small amounts of essential minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. The soup is rich in Vitamin K and offers some dietary fiber.
11 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Miso Soup
1. Improves Gut Health
You can reap adequate amount of probiotics from the miso soup. Probiotics are necessary to obtain as they help promote good bacteria in your gut. Regularly consumption of the miso soup alleviates bad bacteria from the gut regulating your bowel movements. This way your digestive tract remains clean from toxins that facilitate your stomach as well.
2. It Strengthens Bones
Microorganisms are used to fermenting miso that is said to increase the development of vitamin K in your body. The vitamin is essential regarding bones density and structure. When your bones are strong, they will be less likely susceptible to fractures. Moreover, you can also obtain plenty of potassium from the miso soup. Both nutrients will then, function to ward off risks associated with the onset of osteoporosis.
3. For Muscles Growth
Enriched with amino acids, a warm bowl of the miso soup can promote muscle growth effectively. The components are also necessary for strengthening muscles, and they will remain protected from the damages of external or internal damages.
4. Miso Soup for Cardiovascular Health
Dietary fiber, sodium, potassium, dietary salts, and plenty of vitamins are what you need to maintain your cardiovascular health. Nutritionists suggest that consuming a 2-3 serving of the miso soup will not only enrich your body with the following nutrients but combat the risks associated with stroke and heart attack as well.
It contains dietary salt that is an excellent source to lower the symptoms that contribute to cerebral infarct. However, miso soup is loaded with sodium as well, but it doesn’t hurt your cardio health if consumed in moderation.
5. Fights Free Radicals
Many studies have shown the daunting effects of free radicals on your overall body. Thus, you need to consume food packed with antioxidants. Miso soup can provide enough antioxidants to your body that will function to alleviate free radicals.
The latter is considered a health-damaging factor as it contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation, and develop cancerous cells. Therefore, consuming miso soup can be effective in this regard.
6. Ideal for Weight Loss
Nutritionists recommend incorporating healthy options like vegetables and grains into your diet. When to opt for a well-balanced diet routine, it will provide more nutrients, keep your body energized, and will help you to lose weight.
Overweight people can also incorporate miso soup to their diet. It is prepared with nourishing food options and a powerhouse of a nutrient such as fucoxanthin. The latter is known to burn abdominal fat without hurting your health.
7. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Regular consumption of miso soup is thought to lower LDL cholesterol levels in your body. It means you will be less likely prone to heart diseases once you start consuming it regularly. However, it is suggested to consult with your primary care provider in this case to avoid further health problems.
8. Prevents Cancerous Cells
Scientists have found free radicals as a cause of various cancers. Miso soup, enriched with antioxidants like ferulic, coumaric, syringic, and kojic acid can help impede the spread of cancerous cells in your body. However, more studies are underway to find positive effects of miso soup on the distinctive type of cancers.
9. Maintains Stress and Anxiety
Lack of nutrients in your body might result in disturbed psychological health. If you feel stressed or anxious frequently, you may need plenty of vitamins and minerals. Incorporating miso soup into your diet could improve this worrisome condition.
Nutritionists have stated numerous times that a well-balanced diet affects your overall well-being including your brain. You can try consuming miso soup and ward off symptoms associated with stress and anxiety. However, in case of serious or high levels of stress, it is suggested to consult with a psychologist and refrain from self-medication.
10. For Immune System
Your immune system could get damaged if you don’t opt for diet enriched with antioxidants. It plays an important role and protects you from the adverse effects of germs, bacteria, and viral infections. You can obtain antioxidants along with protein, and vitamins to strengthen your immunity.
This way you will be less prone to bacterial and viral infections. Incorporating miso soup into your diet can also help boost stamina. In result, you will feel energized.
11. It is Anti-Aging
Foods containing anti-aging properties are necessary to consume as it delays early aging effectively. Miso soup is considered valuable in this regard. It is a powerhouse of various nutrients including a high content of mighty antioxidants.
The latter is essential when it comes to protecting your body from the internal and external health damaging factors – that contribute to premature wrinkles, sagged skin, and fine lines. Therefore, miso soup could become a natural source to impede early aging process leaving your skin smooth and radiant.
Bottom Line
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that miso soup is a whole meal. The ingredients added to it, contain a high nutritional value that functions to benefit your overall well-being. You can incorporate miso soup into your diet to improve the quality of your life.
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