Miso soup is as much a part of Japan as the cherry blossom. The hearty soup is made with miso, a seasoning paste made from fermented soybeans. Here you can find out why we should definitely get into the habit of eating miso every day.
Table of Contents
Why miso? It’s in the spice paste
Miso is a typical Japanese seasoning paste based on fermented soybeans and grain or rice. Hot water is poured over the probiotic paste to make delicious miso soup. Like so much else in the land of the rising sun, miso is also made with a lot of patience, attention and manual work. Traditionally, grain or rice is first soaked and steamed. Bacterial cultures are then added to the grain or rice as a fermentation agent. After the mass has been able to ferment for several days, it is mixed with cooked soybeans and stored in barrels with salt. The miso paste sometimes ferments for several years in the barrels and sometimes develops a very spicy and intense taste.
BTW : miso is commonly vegan and is a great source of probiotic cultures.
During the maturing period, good lactic acid bacteria multiply in the spice paste , breaking down the proteins it contains and making digestion easier for us. Similar to many other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut , kimchi , kefir or skyr , miso is very healthy and provides our immune system with a boost. 100 grams of miso also contain these nutrients:
- Protein (12 grams)
- unsaturated fatty acids (5 grams)
- Fiber (5 grams)
- Sodium (3 grams)
- Potassium (210 milligrams)
- Calcium (57 milligrams)
- Magnesium (48 milligrams)
- Iron (2.5 grams)
- Vitamin B6 (0.2 milligrams)
- Isoflavonoide
- amino acids
Typically Japanese!
In Japan, miso is actually on the table every day. Most Japanese people slurp their miso soup every day, often as a warm dish for breakfast. Soups with fermented miso taste wonderfully hearty and unfold the unique umami taste all over the tongue. Miso soups often also contain soft chunks of tofu and seaweed. It’s hardly healthier!
4 health benefits of miso
1. Healthy gut flora and digestion
The lactic acid bacteria contained in miso support digestion and enrich the intestinal flora with helpful probiotic cultures. The microorganisms help with healthy and symptom-free digestion and can maintain the balance of your intestinal flora. In addition, enzymes in miso stimulate the production of gastric and bile juice. This is conducive to normal digestion.
2. Gut health and cancer prevention
Fiber in miso is very good for overall gut health. The fibrous plant substances support normal digestion and strengthen the intestines . Studies have also found that the isoflavonoids contained in miso can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer . In another study , researchers investigated the extent to which isoflavonoids, as part of a balanced diet, influence the development of breast cancer in Asian populations. The results suggest that the risk of breast cancer decreased with the diet containing isoflavonoids.
3. Healthy bones and muscles
Miso paste is high in magnesium and calcium , which in combination can work for healthy bones and muscles . Magnesium is needed in the body for enzyme formation, among other things, and can relax muscles. This can have positive effects on the heart, a healthy heart rhythm and blood pressure. At the same time, calcium in a balanced diet provides a good basis for stable and resilient bones.
Also exciting : These symptoms are associated with calcium deficiency > >
4. Normal blood clotting
Fermented foods like miso provide a lot of extra vitamin K to our gut . The vitamin is important for normal blood clotting and strong vessels. Although the bacteria in our large intestine produce a small amount of the vitamin themselves, you can support your intestinal flora with a healthy and balanced diet that relies on fermented foods. Sauerkraut , kale and Brussels sprouts are also rich in vitamin K.
