Edamame is nothing but the name of a legume native to Japan that is as successful in the health world as soybeans; in fact, it is a young bean sprout , harvested before it matures and can be bought with or without the shell, fresh or frozen.
It is a food free of cholesterol and gluten , low in calories and an excellent source of protein, iron and calcium. In addition, it helps us in all these areas:
Age-related brain diseases : People who consume large amounts of edamame or soy have, in general, less incidence of age-related disorders of this type.
Cardiovascular disease : Consuming soy protein / edamame as an alternative to animal protein lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels, which in turn lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
Breast cancer and prostate cancer : Genistein, the predominant isoflavone in soybeans, contains antioxidant properties that inhibit the growth of cancer cells in these two types of cancer. For example, 10mg of edamame or soy a day can decrease the development of breast cancer by 25%.
Depression : Edamame helps with depression by preventing excess homocysteine in the body, which can prevent blood and other nutrients from reaching the brain. Too much homocysteine interferes with the production of feel-good hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate not only mood, but also sleep and appetite.
Diabetes : People suffering from type 2 diabetes often experience kidney disease, causing the body to excrete an excessive amount of protein in the urine. Evidence from a recent study has indicated that those who consumed only soy protein in their diet excreted less protein than those who consumed only animal protein.
Fertility : Women of childbearing age who consume more iron from plant sources such as edamame / soy, spinach, pumpkin, tomatoes or beets are more likely to become pregnant, according to a study by Harvard Medical School (USA). ).
Energy levels : Lack of iron in the diet can also affect how efficiently the body uses energy. Edamame is a great source of iron, along with lentils, spinach, and eggs.
Osteoporosis : The isoflavones in soy or edamame are known to decrease bone loss and increase bone mineral density during menopause.
