If you’ve been to a Japanese restaurant to eat melt-in-your-mouth sashimi or savory teriyaki, you may have been served a hot bowl of miso soup. The main ingredient is miso, and it’s a fermented combination of soybeans, rice, barley, and a fungus called koji kin. The soup is traditionally served before filling entrees, and this healthy food also comes with many benefits.

3 Ways Miso Soup Will Improve Your Health

1. Lowers Risk of Cancer

People who frequently eat miso soup have a lower risk of developing breast or colorectal cancer, and it’s especially effective for menopausal women. While this dish is flavorful and salty, it isn’t associated with the same stomach cancer risks as other sodium-packed foods. The high soy content works against the salts that are connected to stomach cancer.

2. Fortifies Immune System

If you’re feeling under the weather, opt for miso soup over the standard chicken noodle. The probiotics in this healthy food fortify gut flora, preventing harmful bacteria from multiplying in your body and helping you get over a cold faster. The alkalizing qualities of this soup can enhance your immune system, helping you fight off colds and avoid illnesses, like the flu.

3. Boosts Your Mood

The dried bonito flakes often sprinkled into miso soup are known to minimize mental ailments, like anxiety and depression. This healthy food can also dissolve tension and fatigue, which directly affect your everyday mood.

Miso soup is served with all meals at Ahi and Vegetable in Honolulu, HI. This local eatery is proud to offer locals and tourists a variety of healthy food, including salads, donburi, sushi, and convenient bento boxes for on-the-go meals. They also ship their fresh products to hotels, restaurants, and distributors worldwide. View their menu online, or call (808) 845-3500 to ask about their catering options and sushi platters. Read the latest customer reviews on Yelp.