What are the benefits of this sticky ‘thing’ that is said to be good for your health?

An increasing number of people are eating natto for their health. Natto is a Japanese food made by fermenting and aging boiled soybeans, and it has even been selected as one of the world's top five health foods. Although some people avoid it due to its distinctive pungent smell, natto is known for its excellent nutritional benefits. Let's take a closer look at its benefits.

 

◇ Rich in protein and dietary fiber, also prevents blood clot formation

 

First of all, natto, made from soybeans, is rich in protein. 100g of natto contains 17.72g of protein, and the protein found in soybeans lowers LDL cholesterol. There are also studies showing that consuming 50g of protein a day reduces LDL cholesterol by about 3%. Natto is also rich in dietary fiber. 100g of natto contains 5.4g of dietary fiber, which is more than steamed sweet potatoes (3.8g per 100g) or bananas (2.5g per 100g). Dietary fiber helps promote regular bowel movements and lowers cholesterol levels. In addition, natto is also rich in Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E, which help delay skin aging.

Natto is also beneficial for vascular health. The nattokinase component found in the sticky, viscous substance of natto prevents the formation of blood clots and functions to break them down if they do form. Therefore, it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and thrombosis. Natto also activates prourokinase, a precursor to urokinase, another thrombolytic enzyme, and breaks down PAI-1, a thrombolytic inhibitor that makes it difficult for blood clots to dissolve.

 

◇ Must be eaten raw… High blood pressure patients should exercise caution

 

Meanwhile, natto is better when the mucus is fine and sticky. If the mucus breaks easily when scooped with a spoon, it indicates that the fermentation is incomplete. Since natto loses its vitality at high temperatures, it is best consumed raw; depending on your preference, it is good to eat it with quail egg yolks, green onions, soy sauce, or mustard. To eat, place it in a bowl and stir it several times with chopsticks to produce a lot of mucus. If you find it daunting to try natto for the first time, it is recommended to mix it with rice and finely chopped kimchi or sesame oil.

 

However, caution is required with natto containing sauce, as it may be high in sodium. In particular, patients with high blood pressure should eat natto without sauce or seaweed. Additionally, people taking anticoagulants should be careful, as the vitamin K found in natto can reduce the effectiveness of the anticoagulant.

 

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If you eat natto with soy sauce and mustard,

It tasted even better with the tangy kick.

 

I prefer eating it raw.

 

After eating a spoonful before the meal

 

I feel like my digestion is good too.