Miso soup is a beloved staple of Japanese delicacies, usually loved as a heat, comforting begin to a meal. However do you know this humble dish isn’t simply tasty—it’s additionally brimming with unimaginable well being advantages? As a dietitian, I like uncovering the hidden dietary gems in on a regular basis meals, and miso, one in every of this soup’s foremost substances, is one value celebrating. Whether or not you’re a lifelong fan (let’s be sincere, it’s in all places today) or simply discovering it, there’s a lot to understand about miso. Let’s discover what makes this historic superfood so particular.
What’s miso?
Miso is a paste produced from fermented soybeans, water, salt, and a particular mould referred to as koji. This fermentation course of not solely provides miso its distinctive, savory taste but additionally unlocks a bunch of well being advantages, very like different beloved fermented meals equivalent to kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt.
It’s been round for greater than 1,300 years, with regional variations and artisanal methods handed down by means of generations. It’s beloved for its style, but additionally its versatility: From miso-marinated fish to dengaku (miso-glazed greens or tofu) and even miso pickles, its deep roots and flexibility make it a cherished cornerstone of Japanese meals tradition—and straightforward to make use of in any kitchen right this moment. Fortunately, now you can discover it in lots of American supermarkets, or, after all, at your native Asian specialty meals retailer.
What makes miso so good for you?
Miso isn’t only a taste booster; it’s a dietary multitasker. From intestine well being to coronary heart well being, this fermented paste presents a spread of advantages that make it value including to your meals.
Intestine well being assist
One of many standout advantages of miso is its probiotic content material. As a result of it’s fermented, miso is a supply of stay and energetic cultures that assist a wholesome intestine microbiome. These probiotics assist assist digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and assist immune well being.
Professional tip: To protect its probiotics, take care to not overheat miso. Add it to soups or dishes on the finish of cooking to maintain these helpful probiotics alive. Overheating can fairly actually trigger them to die earlier than they work their magic in your physique.
A supply of important vitamins
Miso is a low-calorie supply of a number of key vitamins. It incorporates protein and fiber, each of that are essential for general well being. It’s additionally a supply of manganese, a mineral that aids mind and nerve perform, and vitamin Okay, which promotes circulatory and bone well being. What’s extra, the fermentation course of makes these vitamins simpler on your physique to soak up, giving miso an edge over nonfermented meals.
Immune assist and most cancers threat discount
Miso’s advantages don’t cease at your intestine or coronary heart. Since roughly 70% of your immune system resides in your intestine, the probiotics in miso could play a task in supporting your immune well being.
