Natto can help people fight cancers, bacteria, and pregnancy-induced depression, according to recent studies.
Super new health benefits of natto and other soy products were confirmed by universities and other research institutions. According to their findings, people can better fight caners, bacteria and pregnancy-induced depression by eating them.
Natto can help people fight cancers, says Akita University
The anticancer and antibacterial properties of natto were discovered by Akita University. The source of these properties is one type of antibacterial peptides, which is produced uniquely when soy protein is decomposed by natto spores.
Thousands of different antibacterial peptides have been discovered so far, but this one from natto was found for the first time in the world by the university.
There are some other fermented soy products such as tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food. However, tempeh contains no antibacterial peptide probably because the spores to make natto and tempeh are different. Akita University concluded that the anticancer and antibacterial properties of natto are created when natto spores decompose
soy protein to produce natto.
Akita University Professor Ito showing natto-derived antibacterial peptides (in Akita city, Akita Prefecture)
Natto can help women control pregnancy-induced depression, says Ehime University and its research partners
Natto intake is also good for preventing pregnancy-induced depression. According to the world’s first study on the effectiveness of soy products in the prevention of pregnancy depression by Ehime University and its research partners, women can reduce the risk of suffering pregnancy-induced depression proportionally by eating soy products, particularly natto.
Before and after the childbirth and during perimenopause, women experience significant changes of estrogen levels in the body and very often fall into depression. So intake of soy products and soy-derived isoflavones, which exhibit estrogen-like properties, can help them control the estrogenic activities in the body.