Author: Umi Fatimah
Who sih who doesn’t know soybeans? This vegetable protein source is very popular in Indonesia. We can see this from the many processed foods and drinks made from soybeans, such as tempe, knowtauco, oncom until soy milk.
Apart from being easy to process into various foods, soybeans also have good benefits for body health. So, what are the benefits of soybeans? Yuk, We learn more about the benefits of soybeans for body health below!
Nutrient Content in Soybeans
In contrast to other sources of vegetable protein, sometimes soybeans are a source of vegetable protein that is rich in nutritional content. The nutritional content in a 100 gram portion of soybeans includes:
- Calories: 150–170
- Protein: 17 gram
- Carbohydrates: 7.8 grams
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Iron: 4.8 grams
- Potassium: 479 mg.
Not only that, soybeans also contain omega-3 fats, are rich in antioxidants, soluble fiber and other important nutrients needed for body health.
Benefits of Soybeans for Health
Thanks to this high nutritional content, soybeans are known to have various health benefits, such as:
1. Manage Blood Sugar Levels
Soybeans also have the ability to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels in our body. The protein, isoflavone, fiber, lecithin content and low glycemic index of soybeans can increase insulin sensitivity. The ability of soybeans can also help control diabetes effectively.
2. Reduces the risk of cancer
The high levels of antioxidants in soybeans help fight free radicals and prevent cancer. This antioxidant inhibits the growth of cancer cells that enter the body and controls their spread.
A study shows that antioxidants have the potential to destroy cancer cells and repel free radicals. If the growth of free radicals is not realized, over time, free radicals can change healthy cells into cancer cells and cause malignant tumors.
The antioxidant content in soybeans can neutralize free radicals. What’s more, the fiber content can help reduce the effects of stress on the intestines and digestive tract by facilitating the digestive process.
3. Improve sleep quality
Changes in unhealthy activities and habits can trigger various sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnea. If not treated, sleep disorders over time can have a negative impact on health.
According to health experts, soybeans help relieve the symptoms of various types of sleep disorders and also help improve sleep quality. The high magnesium content in soybeans helps overcome insomnia and also improves sleep quality.
The high magnesium content helps reduce thought waves and helps make you sleep more soundly. So those of you who have difficulty sleeping can get the best and highest quality benefits by including soybeans in your daily diet.
4. Maintains heart health
Consuming soybeans regularly can also help maintain heart health. This is because the fiber, isoflavones and antioxidants in soybeans can increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, as well as control blood pressure.
5. Makes You Fuller Longer
Not only can it support body health, consuming soybeans can also make you full longer. This is because soybeans have a low glycemic index level.
Foods with a low glycemic index tend to be absorbed more slowly by the body, so the stomach will feel full for longer. As a result, you can control your appetite.
These are the various benefits and advantages that we can get from consuming soybeans. With the many benefits of soybeans, it is not surprising that these beans are a healthy choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Nah, If you want to make soy-based food, you can try our recipe. We have a variety Soybean processed food recipes home style that tastes delicious and is of course easy to make.
Atsarina Luthfiyyah (Senior Editor)
Has educational experience in the fields of Culinary and Journalism. His hobbies are writing, traveling and cooking. Masters in Communication Sciences at Gadjah Mada University
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