Tofu (bean curd) may be beneficial to weight loss, heart disease, menopause, osteoporosis and thirst.
Tofu is an important part of a vegetarian diet. It contains a low amount of calories and little fat, thus it may help you lose weight.
Tofu may have effects to lower cholesterol level, and may reduce the risk of heart disease. In 1995, researchers in the University of Kentucky concluded that soy protein decreases serum cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride concentrations. On the basis of this research, PTI, in 1998, filed a petition with Food and Drug Administration for a health claim that soy protein may reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. The FDA granted this health claim for soy: “25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Some evidence suggests that eating tofu might help relieve some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Tofu contains phytoestrogens, specifically the isoflavones. In a woman’s body, these compounds can dock at estrogen receptors and act like weak estrogens. During perimenopause, soy’s phytoestrogens can help maintain estrogen balance, and reduce its fluctuates. Soy’s isoflavones may provide estrogenic activity to prevent or reduce uncomfortable symptoms, like hot flashes, due to production of natural estrogen drops at menopause.
Tofu are enriched with calcium, which can help prevent the accelerated bone loss and osteoporosis. Soy’s isoflavones may promote the resorption of bone and therefore it may have anti-osteoporosis effects. Calcium has been found useful in rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which calcium may help to reduce the bone loss that can occur as a result of aging and menopause.
Tofu has cooling properties. It has minor effects of relieving hot symptoms, such as thirst, heartburn, red eyes, etc.
For more information about natural remedies for weight loss, go to Natural Remedies Center: http://www.naturalremediescenter.com/treat/weight-loss/
