Miso Soup Nutrition
Miso soup is a popular Japanese soup made using miso paste, seaweed, tofu and water. The soup is commonly sold in Japanese restaurants but can be made at home with ease. Many nutritionists believe the soup has natural health properties that may help consumers lose weight or ward off disease. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Miso paste was first used as a base for basic soup recipes in the 7th century. Introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks, the paste was used to flavor rices and broths. Over time, variations of miso paste have appeared, and these variations are often named from the province where they originated, including Kyoto, Aichi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. The word for miso first appeared in 800 B.C.
Role in Mythology
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Miso has long been considered a mythical food product in Asian culture. According to Japanese mythology, miso is a gift from the gods to mankind to assure health, happiness and longevity.
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Types
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A variety of miso pastes exist, including white, yellow and red miso pastes. Each paste has a different flavor and consistency, and can help generate a unique soup broth. Generally, yellow miso creates a sweet and creamy broth, while red miso is stronger in flavor and saltier than white miso. White miso is the most commonly used miso paste when making miso soup.
Nutrition Facts
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On average, one 8 oz. serving of miso soup contains 36 calories and 2 percent of a person's daily fat based on a 2,000 calorie diet. In addition, the soup contains 2 g of protein and 4 g grams of sugar. The soup is high in sodium, however, and may contain between 25 and 30 percent of a person's daily sodium requirement.
Breast Cancer Benefits
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Many nutritionists believe that eating three or more servings of miso soup a day will reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer (BBC News). This is because the soup contains isoflavones--chemicals that mimic estrogen, the female sex hormone. Many researchers believe estrogen may naturally cause breast cancer, and isoflavones help reduce the risk of developing this cancer by blocking the harmful effects of estrogen.
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