Edamame health benefits includes supporting bone health, a good source of protein, lowering the risk of heart disease, support healthy immune system, reducing the risk of cancers, reducing menopausal symptoms, a good source of magnesium, helps you stay youthful and active, support skin health, promotes better digestion, and promote weight loss.
What is Edamame?
Edamame is a popular staple among vegetarians due to its protein content. It is prepared by cooking immature soybeans in their pods and they are served as a side dish. Japan knew about the benefits of edamame for a long time and has taken advantage of them by using it with their meals. Now, edamame is commonly found across the world due to increasing popularity for its various benefits. It contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins while having a low content of fat and sugar. It also contains traces of important minerals and vitamins.
11 Surprising Health Benefits of Edamame
1. Source of Protein
Crucial for cell production, protein is a requirement for every balanced diet. However, a large number of people are not able to implement it due to their vegetarian lifestyle. A lack of protein can result in a deficiency, which can have harmful effects on the body in terms of development. A cup of it contains around 17g of protein, which is adequate as long as other sources are included as well. It can serve as a great source of protein for vegetarians and can be a staple as well.
2. Bone Health
It contains the essential mineral calcium, which is crucial for strong bones. An intake of these beans will help in maintaining bone health and density. Research into the effects of calcium in edamame shows that it may help in lowering the risk of bones fracturing easily as it happens with postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis is also a commonly known disease associated with painful joints so an intake of edamame can help in lowering risks of that too. These factors make edamame a great source of calcium for vegans who live a lifestyle that compromises their health.
3. Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
Consuming protein from soy products such as edamame can help in reducing risks that are often associated with eating meat. This is due to the extra fat present in most meats that can’t be avoided unless you specifically eat lean cuts. Eating edamame for the body’s protein requirements can prevent the deposit of extra fat and unhealthy cholesterol, which can contribute to the risk of heart disease. This is because of the presence of an omega-3 fatty acid in edamame, which is linked to lowering levels of cholesterol in the blood. Also, the low sodium content of edamame makes it an exceptional food for heart disease patients and people who generally suffer from high blood pressure
4. Healthy Immune System
Edamame contains the mineral copper, which is useful to the body’s defense mechanisms known as the immune system. A cup of edamame contains over half of the daily recommended value and this can be highly beneficial to the body. This makes edamame an effective immunity booster that can shield the body against attacks from foreign substances.
5. Reduces Risk Of Cancers
It also contains compounds like phytoestrogens and genistein, which imitate the properties of estrogen in the body. Research into the presence of these compounds shows that they may have the ability to lower risks of cancer. The list also includes prostate cancer, which is widely found in men. Studies show a reduced risk of prostate cancer in males that had a diet with edamame consumption. It also contains isoflavones, which can help in reducing breast cancer risk in women.
6. Reduces Menopausal Symptoms
Once a woman reaches menopause, she begins to face some adverse effects such as hot flashes, increased sweating, and mood swings. Edamame contains isoflavones that have the capability to reduce or alleviate menopausal symptoms. The presence of bacteria in the body that can turn isoflavones into equol can help in reducing symptoms better. Studies indicate that Asian populations are more likely to have this bacteria due to their high intake of edamame.
7. Contains Magnesium
It contains magnesium, which is very important for streamlined bodily functions. A cup of it contains 24% of the daily recommended amount, which makes it a highly beneficial food. Since it is rich in magnesium, it allows the body to create energy by activating Adenosine Triphosphate, which allows muscles to work at their full potential without suffering from too much fatigue. An intake of magnesium can also help in improving physical performance by helping glucose move into the tissues and disposing of lactic acid, which can cause sore muscles if accumulated.
8. Stay Youthful and Active
The presence of antioxidants in edamame can help in maintaining healthy internal organs. This is because the antioxidants can neutralize the harmful effects caused by free-roaming radicals that wreak havoc on the body. By the process of oxidation, these radicals can promote early aging, which can lead to all sorts of health problems.
9. Healthy Skin
The skin is heavily susceptible to injury and dehydration because it is on the outside of the body. External conditions like weather and dust can all take a toll on our skin result in the skin losing its youthfulness. The presence of antioxidants in edamame can help with such a problem by maintaining healthy skin and repairing it whenever it suffers from damage. Radicals can affect the epidermal cells of the skin and make the age. This leads to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging, which is often associated with old age. An intake of edamame can help you retain your youthful skin and its elasticity by fighting off harmful radicals.
10. Better Digestion
Edamame contains fiber, which is crucial to the digestive process. With 8g of fiber per cup, edamame boasts an astonishing 32% of the daily recommendation. The fiber can help in maintaining cholesterol levels, which contribute the benefit of a healthy heart that edamame provides. The fiber in edamame can improve bowel movement and prevent any health issues such as constipation, bloating and hemorrhoids that are caused due to a deficiency. Since these ailments can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, it’s better to prevent it by adding edamame to your diet.
11. Weight Loss Food
Since it contains close to no fat at all, edamame is the perfect food to add to your weight loss diet because it is packed with the nutrients you need such as protein and healthy carbohydrates. It curbs your hunger and prevents you from snacking unnecessarily between meals. It is also low in calories that can easily be expended so you won’t have any leftover which can be converted to fat.
Bottom Line
All these benefits lead to the conclusion that edamame provides unlimited benefits to the body. The effects of eating edamame can have a positive impact on our health and thus improve our mood as well. It is an all-rounder food that can take on various health problems at once so it would be wise to add it to one’s diet.
See Also
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