If you are a vegetarian and it seems really hard for you to bite into that chicken or a fish then needn’t worry. Being a vegetarian is also a bliss and not a curse as here is something that can give you a healthy substitute for meat. Tofu is one such thing that you can easily replace with meat without feeling any regret.
Tofu is a curdled soy milk that is very rich in protein and is good for those who has lactose intolerance. Apart from protein, tofu is rich in vitamin B complex, calcium and iron. It is low in fat and do not contain any cholesterol. There are different types of tofu available in the market with different nutritional value. Silken and soft tofu is mainly used in salads and dressings or in dips whereas firm tofu is hard and is used in sandwich, salads, soups, barbecue skewers.
Let’s take a look at the health benefits of eating tofu regularly:
Tofu is low in fat and keeps your weight in control
Tofu is low in fats and cholesterol so it does not add anything to your weight. It helps in reducing the amount of LDL and triglyceride levels in the body. Soy protein helps in lowering the lipids in our body that results in less fat build up in our body. It also lowers the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine and increases fecal bile acid excretion that keeps bowel movements regular and clear.
When there is a fluctuation in the female hormone estrogen then there comes many changes in the body which ranges from missing your periods to fatigue, mood swings and excessive hair growth. Tofu helps in regulating this hormone and regularizes menstruation. It also helps in boosting the functionality of ovaries that helps in fertility and helps in improving uterine health in pre-menopausal women.
Tofu is rich in calcium and helps in keeping muscles strong
Tofu is very rich in calcium and protein that helps in keeping the muscles and bones healthy and strong. It treats bone loss and osteoporosis in women as it is rich in calcium and phytoestrogens. For those who suffer from lactose intolerance tofu, soy milk and other plant origin protein is the best substitute. This also lowers down the risk of fractures in old age and keeps the bones strong and healthy in long run.
Tofu helps in boosting the liver health as it contains many flavonoids and phytochemicals that helps in taking over the toxins and flushing them out of our body. It protects the main organs from oxidative stress, chemical reactions and toxins that enter into our body. The phytochemical composition of tofu helps in eliminating free radicals from the body and keeps your liver healthy and strong.
Tofu contains isoflavone that increases pancreatic insulin and regulates blood sugar
Tofu is loaded with isoflavone that helps in increasing the serum and pancreatic insulin in the body by enhancing and regulating the molecular activity.It also helps in controlling the blood glucose and insulin level in the body. Being low in fat it also controls the cholesterol and blood pressure that helps in controlling the sugar level in diabetic people.
Tofu contains phytoestrogens that has protective effects on various cancers. Phytoestrogens block the action of estrogen that is responsible for cancer cell proliferation. Eat tofu on regular basis to stay healthy and away from cancer.
Tofu helps in preventing heart disease and improves blood fats
High intake of tofu leads to lower rate of heart diseases that reduces blood vessel inflammation and improve their elasticity. Consuming 50 grams of tofu on daily basis improves blood fats and reduces the risk of heart disease. It also improves the overall body mass index that covers waist circumference, blood sugar and good cholesterol in the body. Tofu also contains saponins that improves the blood flow to the heart and keeps it healthy.