Many people have been exposed to soy at some point during their lives, most usually as a component or substitution for something else. However, edamame is a green soy bean, harvested when a soy plant is young, that is eaten as a snack or appetizer that is loaded with health benefits. Typically boiled or steamed, edamame is given a light dusting of salt and served up. Looking like a bulbous peapod, edamame has recently made its way to America after being an Asian staple for decades. Take a look at some of the edamame health benefits. They’ll likely light a fire underneath you to give them a try.
Image via Wikipedia
Nutritional Content – Edamame is one of the best low calorie protein sources available. A serving of edamame is packed with protein and essential amino acids that make this an attractive food for vegetarians or the calorie conscious. Furthermore, what fat edamame has is of the hearty healthy monounsaturated kind. Considering most protein sources with this much content are usually fatty or calorie laden, edamame makes for an excellent snack for people on a diet.
Fiber – As with most vegetables, edamame is an excellent source of fiber. This dietary component serves two purposes. Fiber, first of all, helps give bulk to stools, promoting regularity and colon health. By doing so, fiber soaks up water retained in the body, helping reduce bloating. Fiber also helps control hunger. Eating foods that are rich in fiber often leads to more filling meals, a sensation that also last longer in dishes high in fiber. This can help people on a diet reduce their intake of calories for a day, saving vital pounds in the long run.
Heart Health – Due to the presence of isoflavones, found in edamame and other soy products, the risk for heart disease is lowered by soy’s ability to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, typically called bad cholesterol. Substituting soy products for meat products can boost this benefit as cutting out red meat often leads to big strides in ensuring heart health. Furthermore, edamame is rich in folate and vitamin K, both of which help protect the heart and the cardiovascular system.
Bone Health - Those same isoflavones that protect the heart also protect the bones. These compounds excrete an estrogen like effect on the bones, providing them with strength and rigidity. Furthermore, edamame is packed full of calcium, adding density to bones and helping to prevent cracks, breaks and fractures.
The best way to eat edamame is steamed. However, you may want to prepare your own or ask for yours to be served with no salt. Edamame isn’t exactly a flavorful vegetable so many chefs add a large dose of sodium to spruce up the fare. This sodium can often raise blood pressure and negate the edamame health benefits
