Miso Soup: 5 Benefits & Uses

Miso is a salty paste that offers plenty of health benefits. As the main ingredient in miso soup, miso is made most commonly from soybeans. It comes in many different flavors, depending on the ingredients used. Hacho miso is made with only soybeans, but natto miso is made with soybeans and ginger root. The benefits of miso are many! For example, miso provides the body with manganese, Vitamin K, zinc, phosphorus and a healthy dose of probiotics. And people in Asian countries have eaten miso for centuries, mainly for its healing properties. While it does contain soy, miso is a fermented soy product. Fermented soy has a different set of benefits and nutrients than other soy products. As a result, miso soup benefits the body by improving digestion, lowering blood pressure levels, and helping to inhibit the development of cancerous tumors.

Miso Soup Benefits

1. Provides the Body With Probiotics

Miso soup benefits include the ability to provide the body with healing probiotics. Specifically, miso and other fermented foods contain beneficial bacteria that boosts the immune system and improve gut health. Probiotics can help improve digestion and cognitive health, reduce the risk of disease and improve immune function, among other health benefits. Studies have shown that probiotics can also help reduce allergies, lower the risk of obesity and help regulate mood. (1)

2. Improves Digestion

Miso soup benefits include improved digestion. The probiotics found in miso help fight digestive issues, including constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome. Also, miso soup helps those suffering from food allergies, candida, ulcerative colitis, and leaky gut syndrome. This all thanks to the beneficial bacteria it contains. The probiotics work to cleanse the digestive system and boost the immune system to speed healing.

3. Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Is salt the bad guy? Not in miso soup! Despite the fact that it contains sodium, this soup may help prevent hypertension. For example, studies have shown that miso can help naturally combat high blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The antioxidants it contains have anti-inflammatory benefits that help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and reduce oxidative stress. (2)

4. Helps Protect the Body From Cancer

Miso soup benefits include anti-cancer properties. Of course, the powerful antioxidants it contains are found in many other cancer-fighting foods. In fact, studies have shown that miso soup benefits the body by preventing the progression of cancerous tumors, including lung, breast and liver tumors. The antioxidants in miso work to prevent free radical damage and inhibit tumor growth. (3)

5. Provides the Body With Essential Nutrients

Finally, many of the benefits of miso soup likely come from the healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals it offers. Specifically, this soup contains copper, manganese, and Vitamin K, along with powerful probiotics and antioxidants. Kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, and miso are among the top probiotic foods. Miso soup benefits the body by boosting immunity and helping to ward off disease and illness.