Edamame Health Benefits

Edamame is a Japanese word, the literal meaning of which is 'twig bean', i.e., young soybeans cropped with the twig. Edamame also refers to a Japanese dish, which is prepared by boiling young green soybeans in pods, with salt added to the boiling water or after cooking the pods.

So, edamame refers to both the young green soybeans and the dish prepared with them. Green soybeans are harvested when the beans are ripe, but have not hardened. Edamame is commonly served as a snack and salad, but sometimes the beans are also included in soups and vegetable meals. In whatever form you like to consume these beans, they are simply a powerpack of essential nutrients that can boost your health.

Young soybeans are a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, omega fatty acids, and several vitamins and minerals. About 155 gm of prepared edamame contains approximately 16 g carbohydrate, 17 g proteins, 8 g fats, and 8 g dietary fiber.

The same quantity of edamame also contains about 9.5 mg vitamin C, 41.4 mcg vitamin K, 0.3 mg thiamine (vitamin B1), 0.2 mg riboflavin (vitamin B2), 1.4 mg niacin (vitamin B3), 0.6 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 97.6 mg of calcium, 3.5 mg iron, 99.2 mg magnesium, 676 mg potassium, 262 mg phosphorus, 2.1 mg zinc, and 1.6 mg manganese.

Apart from these, it contains about 560 mg of omega-3 essential fatty acids, and 2781 mg omega-6 fatty acids.

It is a popular snack among athletes due to its high protein content. In the dry roasted form, it is quite popular as a snack and is specially beneficial for the vegetarians. This is because, soybeans are one of the few plant foods, which contain all the essential amino acids.

So, edamame is considered a source of complete protein. In addition to protein, it is a rich source of many other nutrients. The following are some of the most important health benefits of this food:

• Being a source of complete protein, it can help maintain muscle mass.

• The fats found in it are basically mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. All these fatty acids are known to be beneficial for the health of the heart and the cardiovascular system.

• It contains a significant amount of dietary fibers, which help lower the level of cholesterol in the body. This can prove beneficial for the health of the cardiovascular system and the heart.
• 'Isoflavones' found in soy beans and soy products can help lower the level of cholesterol in the body.

• It contains calcium which is important for healthy bones and teeth. Calcium also helps maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
• Soy protein and fibers help control hunger by giving a sensation of fullness.
• Edamame beans contain isoflavones and saponins, which are antioxidants. These antioxidants can help protect the body from the effects of harmful free radicals.

It is a healthy and delicious food that can be enjoyed in various ways. You can boil or steam young soybeans or add them to soups. They can also be roasted and enjoyed as a crunchy snack. You can also add steamed young soybeans to vegetable salads, or just serve them with spicy sauces.

Disclaimer: This Story is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.