1. Contains Probiotics
The consumption of fermented, probiotic foods has many benefits. The microflora that lives in fermented foods creates a protective lining in the intestines and shields it against pathogenic factors, such as salmonella and E.coli.
Tempeh and other fermented foods lead to an increase of antibodies and a stronger immune system; plus, they regulate the appetite and reduce sugar and refined carb cravings. In fact, fermented vegetables can help treat candida in the gut. Probiotics are also able to break down sugars so they’re more easily digested, break down carbohydrates, control harmful bacteria in the body, fight diarrhea, help with indigestion, fight chronic inflammation and boost immune system function.
2. Reduces Cholesterol
A scientific review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutritionevaluated 11 studies that were conducted between 1990 and 2006. Researchers found that soy isoflavones, which are found in tempeh and other soy products, significantly decreased serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. They also noticed that soy proteins that contained enriched or depleted isoflavones also significantly improved lipid profiles.
The niacin in tempeh is also considered an important treatment option for helping reduce dangerously high cholesterol levels. Niacin, or vitamin B3, has been proven to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia is an elevation of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides or both.
A 2011 study done at the University of Kansas Medical Center found that supplementing with niacin has been shown to be very effective at lowering cholesterol naturally for those who are at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke or other forms of heart disease due to having high LDL cholesterol levels, low levels of HDL cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels.
3. Increases Bone Density
The calcium provided by tempeh is involved in the growth and maintenance of bones. Calcium, together with other essential minerals like vitamin K and vitamin D, is needed to maintain bone mineral density and prevent weak, brittle bones and fractures. It helps form a part of hydroxyapatite, the mineral complex that makes your bones and teeth hard; this complex maintains bone density and helps bones heal. People with a calcium deficiency are susceptible to having weak and pliable bones, increasing the risk of fractures.
Copper, another mineral present in tempeh, also plays an important role in growing bones, in addition to aiding connective tissue and muscle growth. A copper deficiency can show up in brittle bones that are prone to breaking and not fully developing, plus it leads to osteoporosis, low strength and muscle weakness, weak joints, and more.
Research done at the University of Akron in Ohio suggests that copper consumption increases the rate of bone healing and plays a key role in the maintenance and repair of tissue. State-of-the-art approaches to treatment of bone diseases, including the lengthening of bone and repairing fractures, can be improved by paying closer attention to the role of copper as a mineral required for optimal treatment.
4. Reduces Menopausal Symtoms
The isoflavones in tempeh are known to serve as a natural remedy for menopausal relief. In 2000, the North American Menopausal Society established a goal to develop an evidence-based consensus opinion on the role of isoflavones in menopausal health. After evaluating animal and human studies, the most convincing health effects were attributed to the actions of isoflavones on lipids. The main biological functions of lipids include storing energy, signaling and acting as structural components of cell membranes.
Studies associated isoflavones with statistically significant reductions in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides, as well as increases in high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Data even supported the efficacy of isoflavones in reducing the incidence and severity of hot flashes, but some studies did not find any difference between the isoflavone recipients and the controls. The researchers suggest that although more evidence is needed to determine specific doses, clinicians should consider recommending whole foods that contain isoflavones, like tempeh, to menopausal women, especially for the cardiovascular benefits of these foods.
5. Provides Muscle-Building Protein
A hundred grams of tempeh provides 37 percent of an adult’s recommended daily intake of protein — that’s a great source of protein! This is comparable to 100 grams of pork chops or chicken legs. And to boot, the fermentation process has already converted some of the protein into amino acids, so your digestive system doesn’t have to work so hard with tempeh.
Protein foods are important because they keep our metabolism running, our energy up and our blood sugar levels stable. Protein is used in every single cell of the body and is critical for building muscle mass, supporting neurological function, aiding in digestion, balancing hormones and keeping an upbeat mood.
Because high-protein foods like tempeh make us feel full and require more work for the body to break down and digest, they contribute to weight loss and are more beneficial than fast-acting refined carbohydrates.
6. Contains Diabetes-Fighting Manganese
With almost 65 percent of your daily value covered with 100 grams of tempeh, manganese is an important mineral present in this beneficial food. Manganese plays a role in numerous chemical processes, including synthesis of nutrients like cholesterol, carbohydrates and proteins. Manganese is also involved in the formation of bone mass, and it helps balance hormones naturally.
One of the most important benefits of manganese — its ability to fight diabetes. Manganese is needed to help with proper production of digestive enzymes responsible for a process called gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis involves the conversion of protein’s amino acids into sugar and the balance of sugar within the bloodstream. Manganese has been shown to help prevent overly high blood sugar levels that can contribute to diabetes.
A 2013 study conducted at the Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City found that manganese supplementation in mice increased insulin secretion to improve glucose tolerance under conditions of dietary stress. These are promising results concerning the efficacy of manganese as a natural remedy for diabetes.
7. Treats Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases
Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. This is a completely normal and vital process for growth and development, but it’s also a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from a benign state to a malignant one. This is why the use of angiogenesis inhibitors has become popular in the treatment of cancer.
A 2005 study published in The British Journal of Nutrition tested if isoflavones, the polyphenolic compounds found in soybean products, might be useful agents for the inhibition of angiogenesis. The results suggest that the isolated isoflavones from tempeh can be an important tool for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
A 1998 study published by the American Association for Cancer Research found that soy isoflavone consumption may exert cancer-preventive effectsby decreasing estrogen synthesis and altering metabolism away from gene-damaging metabolites toward inactive metabolites. The study involved 12 healthy premenopausal women who consumed soy protein supplements for 100 days. Compared with the control diet, soy isoflavone proved to have cancer-treating effects.
Eighty percent of your immune system is housed in your gut, so it makes perfect sense that research has confirmed probiotic supplementation can stop tumor growth. In addition to supporting your immunity to disease, research has also shown that probiotics can improve digestive function, aid mineral absorption and heal leaky gut syndrome — all contributing to cancer prevention!
Source:Dr. Axe
This all began for me as a 7 days Vegan challenge and turned into a lifestyle. I love to cook! This is my passion. And this time, I cook only using living ingredients. For me, cooking is an art. To eat is also to nourish my soul. I chose to be a Vegan to celebrate all living things and to live well. Eating a plant-based diet cleanses my soul and body. In every ending comes new beginning. Let us learn the basics of cooking. Take one step at a time. Master the art of chopping vegetables, and how to hold your knife. Do you know that a way to prevent your eyes from hurting or teary eyed while chopping the onion is by first washing the peeled onion with cold water thoroughly before chopping it? 
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