What are the benefits and effects of nattō?

Nov 18, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, the benefits and effects of natto mainly include promoting bowel regularity, regulating blood sugar, detoxifying and improving skin appearance, preventing osteoporosis, and aiding in weight loss. Individuals with severe stomach diseases, kidney disease, gout, acute pancreatitis, or unhealed wounds should consume natto cautiously or avoid it altogether. When consuming natto, moderation should be observed.

Generally speaking, the functions and benefits of natto mainly include promoting bowel movements, regulating blood sugar levels, detoxifying the body, improving skin condition, preventing osteoporosis, and assisting with weight loss. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Promoting bowel movements: The mucin contained in natto has the properties of water-soluble dietary fiber, which can absorb large amounts of water within the intestines. Working synergistically with natto bacteria, it enhances gastrointestinal function and improves constipation.

2. Regulating blood sugar: Natto has an auxiliary effect in lowering blood sugar levels. The natto bacteria contained within can consume glucose and mucus substances, while the high elasticity protease enzyme helps inhibit increases in blood sugar levels, making it suitable for consumption by diabetic patients.

3. Detoxifying and improving skin appearance: Natto is resistant to the strong acidity of gastric juice and can colonize within the intestines, producing pyridine dicarboxylic acid, which helps kill and inhibit harmful bacteria and viruses in the intestines, thus providing a detoxifying effect. Antioxidant components in natto, such as lecithin, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E, can improve skin elasticity, promote beauty and youthfulness, and delay aging.

4. Preventing osteoporosis: Natto is rich in vitamin K, which helps the body convert calcium in the bloodstream into bone calcium. Additionally, soy isoflavones present in natto can prevent the dissolution of calcium from bones. These two components work synergistically to effectively prevent osteoporosis.

5. Assisting weight loss: The mucin in natto acts similarly to dietary fiber, reducing the body's absorption of fat. Additionally, the vitamin K in natto supports fat burning within the body and prevents fat accumulation, thereby assisting with weight loss.

Individuals suffering from severe stomach diseases, kidney disease, gout, acute pancreatitis, or those with unhealed wounds should consume natto cautiously or avoid it altogether. When consuming natto, the principle of moderation should be followed, as excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and other side effects.

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Can I eat nectarines after eating Malabar spinach?

Under normal circumstances, you can eat natto vegetable (Malabar spinach) along with nectarine, but it should be consumed in moderation. Natto vegetable is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron, potassium, and dietary fiber; nectarines contain abundant vitamin C, vitamin A, carotene, pectin, carbohydrates, and minerals such as potassium and iron. From the perspective of nutritional composition, the two do not contain components that conflict with each other or produce harmful substances.

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Nattokinase: Benefits and Side Effects

Nattokinase is a protease extracted from natto, a traditional Japanese fermented food, and is produced through fermentation by Bacillus subtilis. Its core function is to dissolve blood clots, effectively improving blood circulation by breaking down fibrin, and it is often referred to as a natural anticoagulant. Due to its natural food origin and high safety profile, it is commonly used as a dietary supplement for the adjunctive prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.