Health Food Of The Week: Edamame

So what, exactly, is edamame? There's a type soybean, called edamame, which is harvested when the plant is at a young age and is still green. Edamame is a popular food to snack on in Japan. It's only recently that the popularity of this vegetable is spreading in America. Edamame has a milky taste to it, and it's a very nutritious vegetable to snack on. Edamame health benefits are many, and more benefits are being discovered about this green soybean as time goes on. This vegetable is prepared by boiling the beans in a pot of salt water, while they're still in their pods. This way of preparing them makes them a nice side dish to any meal. They can also be taken out of their pods and can be incorporated in to salads and soups.


High in protein and fiber Just one half cup of fresh, shelled edamame contains 100 calories. They're very low in fat as well, with only two and a half grams of total fat. With 10 grams of protein, this soybean is wonderful for anyone who is a vegetarian and is looking to get more of this nutrient. The protein in edamame contains all nine essential amino acids that the body doesn't make on its own. You'll also get a good dose of fiber in a half cup of edamame. Fiber is important for a healthy digestive system, and you'll get four grams of it in edamame. Fiber is also known to lower levels of cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Fiber will also keep you feeling full for a longer period. Fiber is one of those nutrients that people find hard to get enough amounts of. Adding edamame will help you boost your fiber intake. Along with heart healthy fiber, edamame also contains isoflavons, which is another key component to lowering the risk of heart disease. Isoflavons are also said to lower the chances of getting breast cancer, but this issue is still up for debate. Other heart healthy nutrients in edmame include vitamin K and folate. Folate also boosts the production of red blood cells. Folic acid is particularly important to women who are pregnant. Without enough folate, the baby's spine may not develop fully and may cause other problems down the line.

Good source of calcium This is a great vegetable to boost your intake of calcium also. You can get 8% of the recommended daily amount of calcium in one half cup of edamame. Proper amounts of calcium will help avoid osteoporosis by strengthening your bones. Calcium also promotes health teeth. Many people find it difficult to get the recommended amount of calcium and rely of taking supplement to boost their intake. By adding edamame to your regular diet, you can get calcium from a natural food source rather than relying of a supplement pill.                                                           

Fights Inflammation Edamame also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great food to eat is you're suffering from arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. People who deal with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, probably one of the most painful forms of arthritis can get some relief by eating edamame. This is a great food for people with asthma, as it can reduce inflammation in the breathing passages. This will result in less wheezing and coughing. Edamame is gaining popularity in the health food industry. More edamame health benefits are being discovered every day. This green soybean can be found in Oriental stores and in natural food markets. It can sometimes be found in the frozen section in regular grocery stores. Edamame is helpful with several things. These green soybean offer many benefits, and more benefits will surely be discovered.