Tofu and its Benefits

The taste of tofu can be described as very neutral. This makes it ideal for combining it with a variety of other foods, since it also absorbs flavors. This is why experts also recommend that you don't eat it uncooked or by itself.

Tofu is made using soy seeds (of medium size and yellow in color), water, and a coagulant. The most common coagulants used are calcium sulfate, magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride. These give a particular texture and level of firmness to each different type of tofu.

Since it’s a product derived from soy, its benefits are similar to those found in the legume. Perhaps the most renowned and appreciated benefit is its high protein content. These proteins are high quality and easy to digest. In fact, they’re easier to digest than animal proteins.

This makes tofu especially appropriate for people who are suffering from stomach problems, such as gastritis.

Additionally, when you include tofu in your favorite dishes, you can benefit from consuming a larger amount of unsaturated fats. These help you to eliminate the risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Aside from that, unsaturated fats help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, E, D, and K).

It also provides a significant number of minerals. For one thing, tofu contains a high quantity of calcium, which is essential to keep good bone health.

Tofu also contains a good amount of iron. In fact, the iron provided by tofu is easy for your body to absorb and can help you prevent anemia from iron deficiency.

Tofu gives us all of these vitamins and minerals, along with fiber and very few calories, as tofu is mostly composed of water. This makes it one of the best foods that you can consume as part of a healthy diet.

Health benefits

1. Excellent source of energy

Tofu is a vegetable product that contains all eight of the amino acids that are essential to your body’s functioning. With that, it can provide you with health and vitality, while contributing to a toned body and an improved appearance.

2. Rich in calcium

Tofu offers a surprisingly high amount of calcium, it contains more of this mineral than cow’s milk. This is because it’s usually made with calcium salts and sodium chloride.

Thanks to this quality, tofu is great for preventing and reducing the risk of bone problems, such as osteoporosis and cavities. If you are suffering from bone fractures, frequent consumption may help you to recover more quickly.

3. It reduces cholesterol and triglycerides

Tofu works well at preventing or reducing the negative impact of cardiovascular conditions. Thanks to its high vitamin E, lecithin, and fatty acid content, this “vegan cheese” helps to reduce high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

It can also be beneficial for people who suffer from arteriosclerosis or chest angina, as well as those who generally have poor circulation.

4. It’s not fattening

This vegetable product contains only 4 percent fat and 70 calories per 3.5 ounces. As you can see from these nutritional values, tofu complements any weight-loss or weight-maintenance diet. The only point to remember is that you should avoid frying it, as this will increase the amount of calories it contains.

Griddle-cooked tofu makes for a serving of vegetable protein that you can add to any salad, vegetable, or whole-grain cereal plate. This will give you a meal that’s not only balanced but also healthy.

5. It heightens the body’s defenses

The phytochemicals that tofu contains, as well as its vitamins and minerals, are good for the production of antibodies, which increase your body’s defenses and strengthen your immune system.

6. It balances estrogen

Tofu is a beneficial food for women during the menopause because it provides protein and calcium. Aside from that, it regulates hormone levels, thanks to its isoflavones. It can reduce the intensity of the symptoms for women at this stage of their lives.

7. It’s a good antioxidant

Tofu has nutrients that make it highly potent as an antioxidant. This characteristic gives you a better quality of life and helps to slow some of the damage that free radicals cause, which can accelerate the aging process.

8. Tofu controls blood glucose levels

As it’s a food with a low glycaemic index, tofu is a good option for people who are at risk of developing type two diabetes.

Its active compounds regulate glucose levels in the blood. At the same time, the isoflavones it contains help to optimize your body’s insulin use.

These phytoestrogens reduce your body’s resistance to insulin, control overall cholesterol, and regulate the metabolic activity that transforms sugars into energy sources.

In conclusion, tofu is a food that can give you a high number of health benefits. It also combines well with other ingredients to make a perfect addition to any dish.