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Effects
About 30 years ago, no other drug than
soybean paste was needed when children hurt their heads
or when they were stung by a bee while playing. Their parents
simply spread soybean paste on a pumpkin leaf, covered the
wound with the leaf, and bandaged it tight. The wound healed
quickly. Though the reason of this healing has not been
discovered scientifically, Korean people learned the effects
of soybean paste through experience.
Soybean paste is a traditional food of
Korea handed down by ancestors. It is loved for its effects,
as well as for its excellent taste. It seasons and adds
flavor to foods. It also contains vegetable protein.
The soybean is drawing attention as one
of the best health foods. The primary ingredient of soybean
paste, the soybean, is so rich in protein and fat that some
call it a garden meat. It is quite functional as well. In
particular, patients suffering from cardiac disorder can
safely eat soybeans because they contain plenty of vegetable
protein free of cholesterol.
Soybeans also help blood circulation.
Soybean paste helps keep people's diet in balance because
it contains rich lysine, an essential amino acid, which
can be deficient in those living on rice. Soybean paste
is also low in cholesterol content because the fat contained
in soybean paste is mostly in the form of unsaturated fatty
acids. Soybean paste inhibits the accumulation of bad cholesterol,
such as linoleic acid, and promotes smooth circulation of
blood.
Anti-cancer effect
Soybean paste exceeds most fermented foods
in anti-cancer effects. This effect remains even after soybean
paste is boiled. In a study, carcinogen was injected into
mice, and part of the mice were given soybean sauce. The
weight of cancer tissue decreased by about 80% in those
mice that were given soybean paste. Having soybean paste
every day is one of the 15 rules recommended by the Korea
Cancer Organization. The anti-cancer effects of soybean
paste are being proven at home and abroad. It was also found
that soybean paste restrains cancerous cells from growing.
Control of high blood pressure
Histamin-leucin and amino acids contained
in soybean paste exhibit excellent physiological functions
of protein. They help mitigate headaches and lower blood
pressure. They also dilate blood vessels by eliminating
cholesterol.
Strengthening of liver functions
The Liver is one of the most important
organs in our body. All nutrients we intake are distributed
through the liver. Traditional Korean soybean paste is good
at restoring liver functions to normal and detoxifying the
liver. Research has proven that soybean paste reinforces
liver functions by lowering the activity of amino-transferase,
the liver toxicity index.
Anti-oxidation effect
Soybean paste has an anti-aging effect
thanks to isjlavins, such as dfaidzein and daidzin, which
are yellow pigments contained in soybeans that belong to
polyphenols. Another antioxidant is melanoidin generated
through the interaction of saccharides and amino acids.
These antioxidants make soybean paste a safe food by preventing
the oxidation of lipids in soybean paste.
Detoxication function
Soybean paste is excellent in neutralizing
the poisons of sea fish, meat, vegetables, and mushrooms.
It is also good at controlling snakes and insects.
Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Lecitine contained in soybeans helps improve
functions of the brain. Saponin in soybeans prevents aging
and Alzheimer's disease by reducing the level of cholesterol
in the blood and restricting the development of lipoperoxide.
Soybean paste contains an antioxidant that retards aging,
and its antioxidative function grows during the fermenting
and maturing processes. Its browning is also found to be
good at preventing aging.
Digestive function
Soybean paste is an appetizer, and has
a good digestive function. Its presence at the table means
there is no worry about indigestion. According to folk remedies,
one bowl of light soybean paste soup normalizes an upset
stomach.
Prevention of osteoporosis
Vegetable estrogen, a derivative of isoflavon,
can prevent osteoporosis in women by forming bone while
inhibiting bone reabsorption. Rich in vitamin D, mushrooms
help calcium absorption and strengthen bones and teeth.
Control of glycosuria
Melanoidin in soybean paste helps control
glycosuria by stimulating insulin secretion.
Prevention of obesity and constipation
The soybean sauce containing pumpkin, mushroom,
and barley is rich in fiber and helps prevent obesity and
constipation. This sauce also strengthens digestive organs
by stimulating bowel movement.
Prevention of heart disease and
cerebral apoplexy
Protein contained in mushrooms purifies
blood and prevents blood coagulation. It also prevents heart
disease and cerebral apoplexy by lowering blood viscosity.
Removal of flecks and freckles
Conjugated linoleic acid removes flecks
and freckles by inhibiting the development of melanin pigment.
Mushrooms and pumpkins help allergic, pimpled, or rough
skins recover their healthy tone.