New Delhi: Tofu has been a staple in many diets for decades. It’s most known for being used in Chinese, American, and Japanese foods but you can find tofu recipes for any taste. It can be a viable substitute for meat in practically every dish. It’s not as flavorful as meat, but due to its unique tendency to absorb flavor from whatever you’re cooking, it’s capable of tasting like anything and that is what makes it so popular.
Benefits Of Tofu
The health benefits of tofu include its ability to help lower cholesterol levels, prevent anemia and manage weight, among others.
Maintains Cardiovascular Health
Regular consumption of soy products like tofu may lower the levels of cholesterol and saturated fats in the body, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Due to its low sodium content, it is also good for people with high blood pressure.
Lowers Cholesterol Level
Consuming tofu reduces the cholesterol level in the body. Additionally, using tofu as an alternative to the animal protein can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. As compared to meats such as beef, tofu has lower levels of saturated fatty acids and higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids. It is also a good source of lecithin and linoleic acid, which helps regulate the metabolism, along with the dispersion and elimination of cholesterol deposits in the body.
Manages Weight
Intake of tofu also aids in managing weight effectively. A study suggests that soy-based low-calorie diets have a beneficial effect on reduction of weight and blood lipids.
Eases Menopause Symptoms
The organic compounds in tofu, namely isoflavones, are instrumental in helping manage the symptoms of menopause in women. Isoflavones are plant-based compounds that mimic the estrogen hormone in the body. Tofu can help stabilize the estrogen levels during menopause and also provide relief from hot flashes.
Anti-cancer Properties
The isoflavones in tofu are well known to be beneficial in reducing cancer risks. Research on soy intake and endometrial cancer suggests that a higher consumption of products such as tofu may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer in post-menopausal women. Tofu has also been associated with a reduction in breast, lung, and prostate cancer.
Prevents Osteoporosis
It is a good source of calcium, which is the key ingredient in bone formation. It is not easy to get this mineral in the right quantity. This is why the intake of tofu is highly recommended since it has high levels of this element. Lack of calcium in the body could lead to osteoporosis, especially in old age. Consuming tofu slows down the entire process by keeping the bones strong.
