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Edamame benefits: Nutrition, recipes, how to eat, and more
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One of the most widely consumed and adaptable food crops on the planet is soybeans.
They are then transformed into a wide range of culinary items, including soy protein, tofu, soybean oil, soy sauce, miso, natto, and tempeh, amongst others.
It is also possible to consume soybeans in their complete form, such as in the form of the immature soybeans known as edamame. Edamame is a bean that is typically consumed in Asian countries, but it has recently gained favour in Western nations, where it is typically consumed as a snack.
This article outlines the primary scientifically supported benefits of consuming edamame for your health.
what exactly is edamame?
Edamame beans are entire soybeans that have not yet reached maturity; they are sometimes referred to as vegetable-type soybeans.
They are not the same hue as conventional soybeans, which are typically light brown, tan, or beige. Instead, these soybeans are green in colour.
Edamame calories
There are 224 calories in a serving size of one cup (or 160 grammes) of cooked edamame. Depending on factors such as an adult’s age, gender, and overall activity level, this constitutes somewhere between 7 and 11 percent of the daily calorie consumption that is suggested for adults.
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Where can I purchase edamame?
It is common practice to sell edamame beans while they are still encased in their pods, which are not intended to be consumed. You can also buy edamame that has been shelled but still contains the pods.
The vast majority of edamame that is sold in the United States is frozen. In most cases, heating the beans can be accomplished quickly and easily by either boiling, steaming, pan-frying, or microwaving them for a few minutes.
Instructions for preparing edamame
It is traditionally made with a pinch of salt and then added to soups, stews, salads, and noodle dishes. Alternatively, it can be consumed on its own as a snack.
Edamame can be found on the menus of sushi bars as well as a great number of Chinese and Japanese eateries. You can find it in the frozen vegetable area of most large supermarkets in the United States, which is normally where it is located. Additionally, it can be found at most health food stores.
However, is edamame good for you? If you ask different people, you can get different answers.
Foods made from soy are highly debated. Some people try to steer clear of consuming soybeans on a regular basis, in part because they may disrupt the function of the thyroid. However, the majority of studies have found that even extremely high doses of soy do not appear to have a substantial impact on thyroid function. Nevertheless, additional research is required in this area.
However, in spite of these potential drawbacks, edamame and soybeans may still have a number of positive effects on one’s health. The top 8 are listed down below.
The health advantages of edamame
1. Rich in vitamins and minerals
Edamame is an excellent source of fibre, as well as other vitamins and minerals in quite high concentrations.
The following table provides information regarding the amounts of several of the most important nutrients that may be found in one cup (160 grammes) of cooked edamame (1Trusted Source).
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Nutrient | Amount |
Water (g) | 113 |
Calories | 224 |
Protein | 37% of the Daily Value (DV) |
Total lipid (g) | 12.1 |
Carbohydrates (g) | 13.8 |
Fiber (g) | 8 |
Sugars (g) | 3.38 |
Calcium | 10% of the DV |
Iron | 20% of the DV |
Magnesium | 25% of the DV |
Phosphorus | 26% of the DV |
Potassium | 19% of the DV |
Folate | 115% of the DV |
Vitamin K1 | 56% of the DV |
Thiamine | 20% of the DV |
Riboflavin | 14% of the DV |
Copper | 27% of the DV |
The amount of vitamin K and folate found in edamame is substantially higher than that found in mature soybeans.
In point of fact, if you consume an entire cup’s worth (160 grammes), you will receive approximately 56% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin K and more than 100% of the DV for folate.
Edamame is an excellent source of a number of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and folate in particular.
2. Could have a cholesterol-lowering effect
Observational studies have established a correlation between unusually high levels of cholesterol and an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
According to the findings of one study, those who consumed an average of 25 grammes of soy protein on a daily basis experienced a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of roughly 3-4 percent.
It is not apparent whether these slight to moderate reductions in cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
In spite of these unknowns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its blessing to health claims that soy protein can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
In addition to providing a sufficient amount of soy protein, vitamin K, healthful fibre, and antioxidants, edamame is a rich source of these nutrients.
These plant chemicals may lessen the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and enhance the blood lipid profile, which is a measurement of lipids in the blood that includes cholesterol and triglycerides.
Consuming edamame on a regular basis can help reduce circulating cholesterol levels due to its high quantities of protein, fibre, and antioxidants. However, it is not known whether consuming edamame lowers the chance of developing cardiovascular disease in any way.
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3. May contribute to the maintenance of appropriate blood sugar levels
People who have a diet that is high in carbohydrates that are simple to digest, such as sugar, on a daily basis may have an elevated chance of developing a chronic disease.
This is due to the fact that a diet rich in quickly digested carbohydrates causes high post-meal blood sugar levels as well as poor regulation of blood sugar, both of which can raise the risk of developing health disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
As is the case with other types of beans, consuming edamame does not cause an abnormally high rise in blood sugar.
It has a low carbohydrate content in comparison to its protein and fat content. In addition, it has a very low score on the glycemic index, which is a measurement of how much different foods affect one’s blood sugar levels.
Because of this, edamame is an excellent food choice for diabetics.
Because it has a low glycemic index, edamame is an excellent food choice for persons who have type 2 diabetes.
4. Rich in a variety of proteins
Consuming an adequate amount of protein is critical for maintaining good health.
Vegans and those who rarely consume high-protein animal foods may need to pay particular attention to the meals that they consume on a regular basis in order to maintain a healthy body.
The comparatively low levels of protein that are found in many plant-based foods are a source of worry. Having said that, there are a few notable outliers.
As an illustration, beans are one of the best sources of protein that come from plants. In point of fact, they serve as the basis for the majority of vegan and vegetarian diets.
There are approximately 18.4 grammes of protein in an amount equal to one cup (160 grammes) of cooked edamame.
In addition to this, soybeans are a source of complete proteins. They give your body with all of the essential amino acids, in contrast to the majority of plant proteins.
There are around 18.4 grammes of protein in a serving of edamame, which is a respectable quantity for a plant item. In addition to this, it is an excellent source of protein, as it contains all of the necessary amino acids.
5. In some populations, there is a potential reduction in the risk of breast cancer.
Isoflavones are plant chemicals that can be found in large concentrations in soybeans.
Isoflavones are similar to the sexual hormone oestrogen and have the potential to form a weak binding with the oestrogen receptors that are found on cells all over the body.
Some studies feel that consuming significant amounts of soybeans and isoflavones may be dangerous because oestrogen is considered to induce some types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
Multiple observational studies have found a correlation between consuming a large amount of isoflavones or soy products and a possible increased risk of breast cancer.
However, the majority of these studies have been conducted on people in Asia, and they suggest that eating a diet heavy in soybeans and other soy products may somewhat lower the chance of developing breast cancer.
They also suggest that a high consumption of foods rich in isoflavones during one’s younger years may offer some protection against the development of breast cancer in one’s adult years.
Traditional Asian diets typically include more soy foods that have undergone minimum processing, such as tofu, tempeh, miso, and soy milk. On the other hand, Western diets typically include more soy-based meat analogues or meat products that have added soy protein.
One study found that elderly folks in Japan have an average daily isoflavone intake of 30–50 mg, but people from the United States and Europe have fewer than 3 mg per day. This difference may be attributed to the higher frequency with which Japanese individuals consume soy foods.
Before any definitive conclusions can be drawn, there must first be a substantial amount of additional long-term research conducted under controlled conditions in a variety of populations.
There is some evidence from observational studies conducted in Asian cultures that foods based on soy, such as edamame, may lower the chance of developing breast cancer; however, not all research come to the same conclusion.
6. May lessen the effects of menopause on the body
When a person’s periods stop, they have reached the stage of life known as menopause.
This normal process is frequently accompanied by symptoms that may be challenging, including as hot flashes, mood swings, and sweating. Some people also have night sweats.
According to several studies, consumption of soybeans and isoflavones during menopause may help alleviate some of these symptoms.
Isoflavones and other components of soy products do not, however, have the same effect on every woman. According to studies, in order for women to enjoy these advantages, they must possess the appropriate kind of gut bacteria.
Isoflavones may be converted into equol by specific types of bacteria, and equol is a chemical that is thought to be responsible for many of the positive effects that soybeans have on human health. People who have these particular strains of gut bacteria are referred to as “equol producers.
The prevalence of equol producers is substantially higher among Asian populations than it is among Western populations.
When compared with women living in Western countries, Asian women are statistically less likely to have symptoms associated with menopause. This could be the reason for this disparity. It’s possible that this is due to the huge amount of soybeans and other soy products that are consumed in Asian diets.
Nevertheless, the evidence does not always point in the same direction. Multiple research have come to the conclusion that soy products do not have any significant or clinically relevant influence on the symptoms associated with menopause.
However, these investigations did not differentiate between persons who were producing equol and those who were not, which may help to explain why they did not uncover any findings that were statistically significant.
Eating meals containing soy, as suggested by a number of studies, may ameliorate the symptoms of menopause. However, the evidence does not support this conclusion.
7. May lower the likelihood of developing prostate cancer
Cancer of the prostate is the form of cancer that affects men the second most frequently after skin cancer. At some point during their lives, approximately 13 out of every 100 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
According to a number of studies, the health benefits of eating soy foods like edamame are not exclusive to women. Additionally, there is a possibility that they protect males against cancer.
Multiple observational studies have shown that consumption of soy products is connected with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
Despite this, additional investigation is required before sound conclusions can be reached.
There is some evidence that consuming products made from soy may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer; nevertheless, further research is required.
8. Could possibly slow down bone resorption
A disorder known as osteoporosis, sometimes known as bone loss, is characterised by bones that are brittle and weak and have an increased likelihood of fracturing. It is seen most frequently in adults of advanced age.
According to the findings of a few studies, regular consumption of soy protein products and high dose soy supplements, both of which are rich in isoflavones, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause or who have already gone through menopause.
Isoflavone content is high in edamame, just as it is in other forms of soy. However, it is unknown to what degree this factor influences the health of bones.
In women who are middle-aged or older, using isoflavones may keep them from experiencing bone loss. Even though edamame includes isoflavones, the advantages of eating the full item may not necessarily reflect the benefits of isolating individual components.
Conclusion
Edamame is a delicious and nutritious legume that is often used as a great alternative to snacks that are high in calories.
However, there has not been a single study that looks specifically at how edamame affects one’s health.
The majority of the studies have been conducted on individual soy compounds, and it is not always obvious whether or not whole soy foods have similar health advantages.
Although the information shown so far is promising, additional research must first be conducted before scientists can draw any firm conclusions about the advantages of eating edamame.