How is edamame good for you

Edamame is a soy product, which has potential hormonal effects. Edamame is a type of soy and thus has a bad rep amongst some people in the wellness space for its hormone-disrupting potential.

Basically, soy is high in phytoestrogens, compounds that can mimic the activity of estrogens. While scientific evidence has largely debunked the idea that moderate amounts of soy will disrupt healthy people's hormones, people who are pregnant, in treatment for hormone-related cancers, or taking thyroid medications should talk to their doctor before upping soy intake including edamame to make sure it won't interfere with your healthy.

Most edamame is genetically modified. If this is something you're worried about, look for a certified organic food label when buying edamame products at the grocery store. Photo: My New Roots. If you're looking for a completely plant-based lunch or dinner that's protein-packed enough to sustain you, this recipe from My New Roots is it.

It's made with edamame and lentils—two great energy sources. Photo: Blissful Basil. Edamame is a natural star in Asian-inspired dishes, as this Thai quinoa bowl so beautifully proves. The quinoa and cashews give additional protein while the broccoli, carrots, and red cabbage amp up the fiber. Photo: Emilie Eats.

You can also keep things simple and enjoy edamame on its own, with just salt and vinegar drizzled on top. Roasting them in the oven will help them absorb the flavor, making it a truly satisfying snack. Here are more ways to get enough protein if you don't eat meat, including some plant-powered recipes to try. Your official excuse to add "OOD" ahem, out of doors to your cal. Sun Sugar Farms. Soybean Seed Varieties. Victory Seeds. Soy Info Center. Husk Local Food Systems.

Edamame vs. Snap Peas. Two Foods Instant Food Comparison. United States Department of Agriculture. June Medline Plus. May 7, What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. May 19, April Journal of the American Heart Association. December Knowing Your Risk: High Cholesterol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 5, Food Source of 5 Important Nutrients for Vegetarians. April 9, What Is Collagen? Vital Proteins. Messina M. Rizzo G, Baroni L. January Soy Foods, Diet, and Tamoxifen.

Oncology Nutrition. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: July 6, Medically Reviewed. Edamame contains 8 grams of fiber in every cooked cup.

For a man, this is over 23 percent of his recommended daily intake; for a woman, it's 28 percent of her requirement per day. According to the American Heart Association, consuming fiber-rich foods can lower your risk of heart disease.

In addition, edamame has a high concentration of alpha-linolenic acid, or AHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that your body can convert to EPA and DHA, compounds linked to lower blood cholesterol and a decreased risk of stroke and heart disease.

Each cup of cooked edamame contains about 1. Your body needs manganese to build strong bones. A serving of edamame provides over 20 percent of an adult's recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, of vitamin K, a nutrient that the Harvard School of Public Health reports is crucial for increasing bone density. The beans are also high in potassium and magnesium, supplying at least 10 percent of the RDA of each mineral for both men and women in a single cooked cup.

If you lack enough of either, you may have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Your body needs copper to keep your immune system healthy and functioning properly. Adults need micrograms of copper each day, and a 1-cup serving of cooked edamame contains micrograms of the mineral, or approximately 60 percent of the required daily intake for men and women.