The health benefits of Tofu |

About fifteen hundred years ago the Japanese imported many aspects of Chinese culture : the writing system, political institutions, and perhaps most important, Buddhism.

Buddhist priests were expected to eat only vegetables, and tofu (bean curd), made from the soybean, was a very important food in their diet. When Buddhism was introduced from China, tofu was also brought to Japan.

Here are some key points about tofu. More detail is in the main article.

Tofu is an important source of protein for many vegetarians and vegans.
It may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol.
It may offer relief for certain symptoms of menopause.
One block of tofu contains 177 calories.

The health benefits of tofu

Tofu is a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous.

In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1.

Tofu is an excellent food from a nutritional and health perspective. It is thought to provide the same sort of protection against cancer and heart disease as soya beans.

A diet that contains a variety of plant-based foods appears to contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and a lower risk of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Tofu Contains Many Nutrients

Tofu is high in protein, and contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. It also contains fats, carbs and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

One 3.5-oz (100-gram) serving of tofu contains:

Protein : 8 grams.
Carbs : 2 grams.
Fiber : 1 gram.
Fat : 4 grams.
Manganese : 31% of the RDI.
Calcium : 20% of the RDI.
Selenium : 14% of the RDI.
Phosphorus : 12% of the RDI.
Copper : 11% of the RDI.
Magnesium : 9% of the RDI.
Iron : 9% of the RDI.
Zinc : 6% of the RDI.

This comes with only 70 total calories, which makes tofu a highly nutrient-dense food.

Is eating tofu good for weight loss?

Eating tofu, which is made from soybeans, may help you lose excess body weight if you consume it as part of a reduced-calorie diet. Tofu is commonly eaten by people following vegetarian diets.

It can enhance the skin and hair, boost energy, and help maintain a healthy weight.

Tofu developed in different ways in China and Japan

While the Chinese often changed the taste of tofu by mixing it with strongly-flavored vegetables or meat, the Japanese preferred to eat it using only a simple sauce.

Even now, traditional Japanese cooking preserves the original delicacy of tofu, though the way it is served may change from season to season. In summer, for example, it is simply served cold, while in winter it is often eaten as part of a hot dish.

The tofu which is popular among Westerners

The soybean was introduced to the West in the eighteenth century, but little interest was taken in it ; only scientists recognized its high food value. During the Second World War, when meat was in short supply, the U.S. government encouraged the American people to eat soybean products.

However, they never became very popular and, after the war, interest in them dropped off as the supply of meat became plentiful again.

In recent years, people in the West have become increasingly aware of the dangers of eating too much animal fat, and as a result, they have turned more and more to soybean products. This is mainly because the soybean provides almost the same food value as meat, and in addition is a lot more healthful.

Much of the margarine, salad oil, and cooking oil in daily use is now produced from soybean oil. Tofu, a representative soybean product and originally one of the main foods in the diet of Chinese priests, is considered to be one of the healthiest foods available to man.