Everything to Know About the Health Benefits of Tofu
You’ve probably heard plenty about tofu by now if you’re involved in circles of health, wellness, and plant-based living. It’s the quintessential, stereotypical vegan food, after all! However, tofu is so much more than just a meat substitute — in fact, it isn’t really a meat substitute at all. It’s a food that’s been present in many cuisines around the world for years, and it has a variety of health benefits that can make a big difference in anyone’s diet and lifestyle.
Whether you’re still on the fence about tofu or you’re a tofu lover who wants to get the lowdown on all of the health benefits it has to offer, here’s what you need to know about what tofu can do for your body.
1) Lean Protein
This one is probably easy enough to deduce just by knowing what tofu is, but it’s important to mention that it is a source of lean protein that can be great for fueling the body without relying on too much energy to digest it. On average, a block of tofu contains 36 g of protein for only 350 calories, which is high protein content without the fat and cholesterol often associated with animal-based proteins or higher fat proteins.
2) Disease Prevention
Tofu, in addition to being a source of lean protein and many nutrients, also has the potential to help prevent many diseases and health conditions that put many people at risk. Tofu can actually help reduce your risk of things like cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Although many of these links can sometimes involve other factors too, the inclusion of tofu can definitely help contribute to the impact.
3) Nutrient Density
You might be wondering at this point how exactly tofu manages to help prevent so many health conditions while still being calorically conservative and a lean protein. Well, it’s through the nutrients it provides. Tofu is high in calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and folate, all of which are essential for healthy body functions. Tofu even contains small amounts of riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin B6, which can be essential for those who lack them in their regular diets.
4) Anti-Inflammatory Properties
In addition to being a protein, tofu can also be an anti-inflammatory food, which isn’t as common for calorically dense and filling foods. Tofu contains antioxidant phytochemicals, making it a great choice to add to an anti-inflammatory diet. Among its anti-inflammatory properties, tofu can help to lessen the symptoms of PMS, limit headaches and migraines, and reduce overall inflammation in the body. If you need a protein to add to your anti-inflammatory diet, tofu might just be the go-to.
The Health Benefits of Tofu
Tofu is a healthy choice for nearly any diet, whether you’re living a plant-based lifestyle or simply looking to expand into new food choices. Not only does it offer lean protein and caloric density, but it can even contribute to disease prevention and anti-inflammatory diets through all of its nutrients. Who would have thought that one little block of soybeans could be so powerful? So, do you have any tofu dishes you’re excited to try out?
