#19: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

00Angela00

This is day ninteen of our education of the 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Woo Hoo! Some of these you won't be surprised by, some you will. I'll take one out of each food group each day to mix it up a bit.

All information is from the book by jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

Either before or after reading this please read the intro to this chapter regarding the truth about soy products at the link below:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57520-soy-not-as-good-as-you-think

Day 19: Fermented Soy (tempeh and miso)

Two soy products I DO like for their health benefits are tempeh and miso. Tempeh is actually a traditional Indonesian food, made from the controlled fermentation of cooked whole soybeans. It's usually fermented with Rizopus mold (also known as a tempeh starter), which binds the soybeans into a compact white cake. Tempeh fermentation produces natural antibiotic agenst that are believed to increase the body's resistance to infections.

TEMPEH

* In research on soy protein, there is some evidence that the isoflavones found in tempeh may be responsible for healping to ease menopause symtoms

* Soy protein and isoflavones such as those found in tempeh may possibly reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

* Tempeh also contains saponins, health-promoting components of vegetables and legumes with strong biological activity, including acting as a natural antibiotic

* There is some suspicion that saponins may have cancer-protective or cancer-fighting activity.

* Saponins may also help protect people from colon cancer

* Tempeh has a nutty muscroom flavor and can be cliced and sauteed till the surface is golden brown. It can also be used in soups, salads, and sandwiches. Any recipe that works with mushrooms will work with tempeh

MISO

* made by mixing cooked soybeans with salt, a grain, and a fermenting agent called koji

* Despite my reservations about soy in general, there is a lot of research on the benefits of some soy protein in the diet, miso would be one way to get soy protein -- not a fantastive amount, but worth noting nonetheless.

* It also contains almost 5mcg of the cancer-fighting mineral selenium

* contains 144mg of potassium

* contains 109 mg of phosphorus

* contains a small amount of calcium and magnesium.

* 1/4 cup of miso contains a respectable 3.7 g of fiber

* Most Westerners are likley to get miso in teh form of miso soup, which also usually contains vegetables, making it a nice, low-calorie, healthy start to a meal

WORTH KNOWING
Miso contains a high amount of sodium--more than 2,500 mg in 1/4 cup. remember, sodium per se is not sodium chloride (table salt), and if sodium is balanced with plenty of potassium in the diet (vegetables, fruits), it isn't a problem for most people. Still, it's worth mentioning.

For previous posts:
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57017--1-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
OATMEAL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57180--2-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57278--3-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APPLES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57482--4-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57516--5-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EDAMAME: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57602--6-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BUTTER/GHEE http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57689--7-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57791--8-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CRUSTACEA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57940--9-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEE POLLEN: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58069--10-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ACAI JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58196--11-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CARDAMOM: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58290--12-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMOND OIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58381--13-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58426--14-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
QUINOA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58555--15-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
GARBANZO BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58671--16-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APRICOTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58800--17-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BRAZIL NUTS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58921--18-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

JoyousMaximus

I miso soup.