Is Miso Soup Healthy? Exploring the Nutritional Benefits of Miso

Japanese miso soup in a bowl

Posted on: August 19, 2021

Craving the warmth of a comforting bowl of soup? Miso has proven to be one of the most nutritional varieties. This classic Asian dish, increasingly popular in Japanese restaurants, not only delights the taste buds but also offers a wide array of health benefits. Still wondering if miso soup is good for you? Let’s explore the many benefits of eating Miso soup and why it is a smart addition to any diet.

Table of Contents

What Is Miso?
What Makes Miso Soup Healthy?
How to Incorporate Miso Soup Into Your Diet
Enjoy Miso Soup Benefits With San-J Today

What Is Miso?

Most people have heard of miso soup, but not everyone knows what miso actually is. Miso is a fermented paste used to add flavor to many Japanese dishes, bringing on a salty umami taste. It is made with a blend of soybeans and a type of mold called “koji,” which produces enzymes that break the beans down acids and sugars. 

Miso paste can be mixed into dressings, sauces and batters, but is most commonly used to make soup. Miso soup is traditionally made by heating and mixing miso paste, dashi and ingredients like vegetables, tofu and seaweed. Today, you can also use miso soup packets to make this flavorful Asian-inspired dish in minutes.

5 Health Benefits of Miso Soup

Miso soup isn’t just delicious, there are so many benefits like miso soup for weight loss, digestion and immune health. It delivers many essential substances to the body. Check out a few miso soup benefits for your health:

  • Rich in nutrients: Miso contains many healthy vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, manganese, zinc, protein and calcium. Many of these nutrients support essential structures like the bones and nervous system.
  • Improves digestion: Because miso is high in probiotics, it helps the body maintain healthy bacteria levels. This bacteria contributes to digestive health, reducing gas, diarrhea, bloating and constipation.
  • Strengthens immune system: The probiotics in miso soup also reduce the production of bad bacteria, improve blood circulation and ultimately boost your immune system. Probiotic-rich diets can also help you recover from infections faster and reduce the need for antibiotics.
  • Lowers cholesterol: Miso comprises lecithin-rich soybeans. This plant-based substance helps strengthen blood vessels and reduce cholesterol.
  • Improves mental health: Soybeans are also known to contain acetylcholine, which can aid memory, and vitamin B — which can help to ease stress.

How to Incorporate Miso Soup Into Your Diet

Implementing soup into your diet is easy with San-J White Miso Soup and Wakame Soup Mix. When you use these convenient soup packets, you’ll be able to enjoy an authentic Asian meal in minutes. Our San-J instant soup mix is gluten-free, and it embraces rich, savory flavors to create the perfect nutritional blend. Plus, it’s easy to take it to another level by adding your favorite ingredients.

Not sure what to add to miso soup? Try enhancing it with these delicious ingredients:

  • Seafood: Shrimp, fish, clams or crab.
  • Root vegetables: Carrots, potatoes or onions.
  • Squash: Butternut or acorn squash.
  • Greens: Asparagus, broccoli, spinach or green beans.
  • Tofu: Ganmodoki, atsuage or aburaage.
  • Noodles: Soba, udon, ramen or rice noodles.

Enjoy Miso Soup With San-J Today

If you’re looking to add soup to your menu, San-J White Miso Soup and Wakame Soup packets are the perfect solutions for quick, easy cooking. Use our product locator to find our soup mixes in a store near you!