One of the most iconic condiments at our Bellevue sushi restaurant is, naturally, soy sauce. It’s an important part of Japanese cuisine, as well as popular across the world for its potent flavor. Due to its high sodium content, and its general similarities to table salt, many make the mistake of thinking that this murky brown concoctions is an indulgence that the health-conscious individual would be wise to stay away from. However, the humble soy sauce actually offers some surprisingly valuable nutrients:
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Niacin: Also known as vitamin B-3, this nutrient is essential for the maintaining a healthy heart. It lowers fats in the bloodstream while simultaneously raising the levels of healthy cholesterol. As an added bonus, it is also an important part of healthy skin, a healthy nervous system, and a healthy digestive system.
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Manganese: This mineral is used in building connective tissue, blood clots, and a powerful antioxidant agent that battles free radicals that can damage your cells.
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Tryptophan: Soy sauce is particularly rich in this essential amino acid. Your body uses tryptophan to create serotonin, which promotes restful sleep and stabilizes your mood.
Meanwhile, though it is true that soy sauce is high in sodium, it has been found that you can actually save yourself a lot of sodium by substituting table salt for a modest splash of soy sauce. So don’t be afraid of Asia’s favorite condiment!