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Wellness

Nutrition and Tofu

Tofu is the result of a process that combines soybeans (in most cases) with a coagulant, curing agent.

Soybean is a bean providing vegetable protein. It contains all the amino acids that the body needs. The coagulant contributes minerals. Calcium Sulfate, for example, is a naturally occurring calcium salt.

Soy foods such as tofu are well known for their cholesterol-lowering effects. The evidence is so strong that regulators in the United States and Canada have approved health claims linking soy protein to a lower risk of heart disease. (1, 2)

Tofu contains isoflavones, which is a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The isoflavones in tofu are also believed to reduce the risks of diabetes (3, 4) and cancer. (5, 6) Whilst research is supportive, more studies are needed to make strong statements.

For more details, please see the four page background paper here.

References:

  1. Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-tofu
  2. Beyond the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Soy Protein: A Review of the Effects of Dietary Soy and Its Constituents on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, by D. Dan Ramdath, Emily M. T. Padhi, Sidra Sarfaraz, Simone Renwick, and Alison M. Duncan, 2017
  3. Legume and soy intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, by Jun Tang, Yi Wan, Minjie Zhao, Hao Zhong, Ju-Sheng Zheng, Fengqin Fen, 2020
  4. The Effect of Soy Intake on Metabolic Profiles of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, by Mehri Jamilian, Zatollah Asemi, 2015
  5. Soy, Soy Isoflavones, and Protein Intake in Relation to Mortality from All Causes, Cancers, and cardiovascular diseases: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies, by Seyed Mostafa Nachvak, Shima Moradi, Javad Anjom-Shoae, Jamal Rahmani, Morteza Nasiri, Vahid Maleki, Omid Sadeghi, 2019
  6. Soy and isoflavones consumption and breast cancer survival and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis, by Shumin Qiu, Chongmin Jiang, 2018

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By Peter Eadon-Clarke

Advisor, Conceptasia Inc.
Peter Eadon-Clarke is a specialist in J-Wellness, product and technique trends, wellness tourism and the Stress Check Program. Peter has extensive experience managing complex multicultural teams; roles held during 14 years at Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) limited included branch manager, global head of economics and Tokyo head of research. Previously, positions included UBS Trust and Banking in Tokyo as chief investment officer, CIO at Sumitomo Life Investment and CIO for the Pacific Basin at GT (now Invesco).