How to Eat Natto
May 25, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Natto is a highly nutritious food. It can be cooked directly and consumed, effectively preserving its nutritional components without compromising its nutritional value through excessive cooking. Alternatively, natto can be mixed with rice and steamed to make “natto rice,” which helps achieve a more balanced intake of dietary fiber, vitamins, and carbohydrates, thereby supporting the body’s electrolyte balance.
Natto is a health-promoting food with various preparation methods. However, improper consumption may cause certain adverse effects on the body. So, how should natto be consumed?
How to Consume Natto
Natto is an exceptionally nutritious food. It can be consumed directly after cooking, which effectively preserves its nutritional components and prevents degradation caused by excessive heat treatment. Alternatively, natto can be mixed with rice and steamed to create “natto rice,” enhancing the balance of dietary fiber, vitamins, and carbohydrates—thereby helping regulate electrolyte balance and boost immune function. Another option is to prepare natto as a soup or combine it with chopped fruits to make a salad, which can stimulate appetite.
Natto is a fermented soybean product that develops a characteristic viscous texture during fermentation, owing to the growth of *Bacillus subtilis* var. *natto* (natto bacteria). Regular consumption of natto helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders caused by pathogenic bacteria. Rich in diverse nutrients and bioactive compounds, natto—once absorbed by the human body—can dissolve existing blood clots and inhibit new clot formation. Consequently, it plays an effective role in preventing and managing myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular occlusion, and stroke.
In daily life, it is also important to engage in regular physical exercise, avoid chronic sleep deprivation, and abstain from smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition, maintain a balanced diet with appropriate proportions of animal- and plant-based foods, and strive to sustain a positive and cheerful mood each day. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
