Ok, so there wasn’t a Eurovision soup contest recently, but if there was, surely Miso Soup would be number 1.
If you have been in for an appointment recently, you have probably already heard me preaching about the benefits of adding Miso soup to your winter menu, but if not, lend me your ears as I spread the good word of Miso.
Miso soup is the small soup that often comes as a free accompaniment when you order a Japanese meal. It can be eaten/drank for breakfast, lunch and dinner or as a replacement for snacks, tea or coffee. It is a savory soup made from fermented soybeans, that usually also contains tofu, seaweed and onion, but it is versatile enough to add seasonal vegetables or meat.
Why is it so great for me though? Good lead in question…
Miso soup is a great natural source of probiotics.
You have probably already heard the benefits of fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kombucha; well Miso soup is another of these rich probiotic foods.
Miso soup is a fantastic source of Protein and B vitamins.
If you are a vegetarian or like to limit your meat intake, Miso soup can assist energy production, as it is a complete protein source and a good source of B vitamins, particularly B 12.
Miso soup is friendly to your wallet.
As mentioned above, Miso soup is often free with a Japanese meal or similar in price to a cup of coffee. You can take it further by buying packets of Miso soup to take to work or make your own with Miso paste.
Miso soup is lovely to your Thyroid.
Most Miso soups contain Seaweed, which is a rich source of Iodine, which is essential to good Thyroid health. Our Thyroid is our inner thermostat; it helps maintain our body temp, metabolism, hormone production as well as a number of other vital body functions. If your Thyroid could speak it would say “I love Seaweed”.
Miso soup is warm and nourishing.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) you will hear practitioners go on and on about the thermodynamics of food and drinks, and how warmth is always better than cold or frozen. When you accompany your food with a Miso soup, it aids the digestive function as well as warming your stomach and spleen, which creates good blood and qi circulation.
Miso soup is delicious.
Whoops, I forgot to mention it is delicious. It tastes like a roast dinner in soup form or similar. It can be salty depending on how it is prepared, but add seasonal vegetables to enhance the flavor you desire (pumpkin works a treat during winter).
Miso soup is the Swiss army knife of soups.
As well as the above-mentioned benefits of Miso, it is also an antioxidant, great for the immune system, prevents against radiation (due to dipilocolonic acid), aids digestion, stimulates the secretion of digestive acids and recent studies show it reduces the risk of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.
Hungry? I sure am and I feel like a Miso soup! So there you have it, 7 reasons why Miso soup should win the Eurovision soup contest.
If you have another soup that you think should be nominated, then let us know in the comments. Also what fun ingredients have you added to your Miso soup? Add them to the comments too or let the team know next time you are in at The Pagoda Tree.
Until then, stay healthy,
Caleb.
Hi there! What are your thoughts about soy and oestrogen dominance? I LOVE miso soup
A great question and sorry for taking a while to reply. Oestrogen dominance is an issue that we see a lot of in the clinic, where people may be suffering from heavy, painful and long periods, or even migraines and headaches that occur monthly.
We do recommend lowering certain foods that can be unnaturally high in Oestrogen, such as non-organic meat, especially chicken, but soy products such as Miso paste fall into another category known as phyto-estrogens. These mimic Oestrogen in the body, but are not as harmful as hormone treated meat. Organic soy products are the least harmful of all, but should still be restricted if you show signs of Oestrogen dominance. However when having Miso soup you must remember that it is a small amount that is heavily diluted as well, hence still the number 1 soup to have during winter. : ) Avoid the tofu if you are showing Oestrogen dominance and up the mushrooms and seaweed in the soup instead.