Edamame are a popular Asian food which has caught on in other parts of the world as well. It is made from soybeans which are harvested before they start to harden, and then quickly parboiled and frozen to retain their fresh flavor.
The health benefits of Edamame are reported to be :
Edamame are recommended to be eaten by people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is also advised for people with type 2 diabetes, asthma, lung cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer, as well as preventing weak bones (osteoporosis), and slowing the progression of kidney disease. Some people eat Edamame to help treat constipation and diarrhea, as well as decreasing protein in the urine of people with kidney disease and treating muscle soreness caused by exercise. Women use soy for breast pain, preventing breast cancer, preventing hot flashes after breast cancer, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Edamame are low in fat and calories, but high in protein, fibre and most other essential nutrients. It is a complete powerhouse of nutrition. ‘1 cup of Edamame gives you 20-40% of your recommended daily intake of protein, fibre, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, thiamin, folate and vitamin K’ according to health writer Sandi Busch.
1/2 a cup of edamame (soy beans) gives you 9 grams of fibre which is nearly the same as you would find in 4 slices of whole-wheat bread! It has as much iron as 4oz of chicken, but it is only 120 calories!
