Fermented soy shown to prevent bone loss
Concerned about bone loss? Consider adding natto to your diet. Natto is fermented soy beans. While natto can turn people off because of its fermented foul odor, these fermented soybeans are often dehydrated and ground into a powder making it more tolerable to most palates. Before you turn your nose up at this seemingly daunting powder, natto powder tastes good with chocolate. There, feel better?
Before we talk about the benefits of natto and natto powder, let’s address soy beans in their unfermented state. For years, soy beans were the king of the bean. Nutritionists, food manufacturers, fitness trainers… nearly everyone was excited about soy. However, in more recent years, studies reveal that soy and soy bean oil is prohibitive to thyroid and endocrine system health. Unfermented soy is known to block the absorption of essential minerals such as zinc and iron which are responsible for the production of testosterone. So, avoid soy products unless they are fermented.
Natto, and natto powder, is prevalent in vitamin k, specifically vitamin k2 which helps regulate calcium in the body thereby aiding in bone health. Vitamin K is also known to help protect against heart disease and cancer. When it comes to other nutrients, natto is a good source of protein and fiber.
Stir natto powder into chocolate coconut milk or sprinkle into virtually any dish, mix a teaspoon into recipes that feature robust flavors such as coffee or dark chocolate like my Italian Chocolate Torte, recipe here: Italian Chocolate Torte.
Sprinkle a little – a pinch – into citrusy vinaigrettes like Apple Cider Lemon Vinaigrette. If you try natto in its original fermented state, stir fry it with vegetables such as bell pepper and broccoli, spices and jasmine or basmati rice.
Sources: Conquering Any Disease, Jeff Primack, copyright 2015; Dr. Andrew Weil
Photo credit: AliExpress.com which carries Natto Powder
