Most people always choose peanut butter when making toast or think of a delicious spread for bread and biscuits. We can’t deny that it is indeed delicious. But did you know that aside from peanut butter, there are many more options out there when it comes to nut butter? Yes, and the other ones can be healthier, too.
Soy butter is a type of butter made from soybeans that are roasted, crushed, and mixed with soybean oil to create a stiff textured food spread. It has a mild nutty flavor. Soy nut butter is known to be low in fat, and it can be served like peanut butter. This means that you can spread it on bread, toast, baked goods, and crackers. If you are wondering about the good things that you can get from adding soy butter to your diet, you’re in the right place.
Health Benefits of Soy Butter
1. A Good Source of Protein
Protein is essential for everything, including tissue repair, muscle building, and maintaining positive blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day. Soy nuts are one of the valuable sources of protein. One ounce can give you 10 grams of protein, which is more than the amount found in eggs and milk. The protein needs of people vary, but an active 150-pound person usually needs around 82 to 116 grams of protein in a day. Also, soy butter is a good plant-based protein source for those who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet.
2. A Good Source of Fiber
Soy nuts also contain valuable amounts of fiber, which is a non-digestible carbohydrate that keeps your digestive system functioning well. It also aids in appetite and blood sugar control. A serving of soy nuts provides 5 grams of fiber, which can go a long way to the suggested 25 to 38 daily grams for adults. This means that adding soy butter to your diet can help you reach the recommended daily amount of fiber each day easily. Also, for added digestive benefits, it is essential that you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
If you want to know the difference between European butter and American butter, click the link.
3. A Nutritious Alternative to Sweet and Salty Cravings
Instead of having some fried potato chips and other junk foods for a snack, you can simply make some soy butter toast, which is a healthier and more delicious option. It can also provide you with over a gram of iron per serving, which is more than many salty snacks offer. Meanwhile, you may open the link if you are interested to know the health benefits of cultured butter.
4. May Help Boost Heart Health
Adding soy butter to a healthy diet may help lower cholesterol levels and improve other risk factors for heart disease. The fiber, protein, and alpha-linolenic acid or ALA that soy contains likely play important roles in this. Also, based on studies, soy nuts affect cholesterol levels more than any other type of soy.
5. May Aid in Weight Loss
Due to the high protein content of soy butter, it may also aid in weight loss. It’s because eating more protein may boost metabolism and fullness, hence assisting weight loss. The protein found in soy nuts may work with fiber and isoflavones to give additional benefits for fat metabolism and weight loss.
6. May Promote Bone Health
The isoflavones in soy nuts may also help boost bone health and prevent bone diseases like osteoporosis. This has been shown to increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. This is possible as they benefit markers that control bone formation in the body. Since soy nuts in soy butter are rich in isoflavones, adding them to your diet may help promote bone health. If you prefer nut butter, you must read these nut butter-making tips from the experts.
7. May Help Alleviate Menopausal Symptoms
During menopause, the levels of estrogen decrease, which leads to mood swings, hot flashes, and other symptoms. But isoflavones in soy butter mimic estrogen, which can help alleviate these symptoms. However, based on research, the effect of soy on estrogen levels and menopause symptoms depends on how women process isoflavones individually.
8. A Very Versatile Ingredient
Just like peanut butter, you can also use soy butter in a lot of ways. You can add them to meals and snacks, such as bread, toast, smoothies, oatmeal, and even as a vegetable or fruit dip. You can also blend it with citrus juice or vinegar and use it as a sauce or dressing. Soy is not technically a nut. With this, it is a great alternative for those who have peanut or tree nut allergies.
These are some of the benefits that you can get from soy butter. When buying soy butter from stores or online, ensure that you choose one that does not contain added vegetable oils, preservatives, and excess salt. This way, you will be able to maximize the health benefits it provides. We hope that this helped you learn more about the benefits of soy butter.
9. Cholesterol Free
Soy butter is naturally cholesterol-free, making it an amazing addition to a healthy diet. Cholesterol free diet and low saturated fat reduce the chances of various cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes.
10. Rich in Potassium
Potassium helps lower blood pressure or manage high blood pressure in patients. High potassium intake may reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Potassium plays a role in bone density, as studies have suggested that people who have a high potassium intake may have higher bone density. A potassium-filled diet helps maintain muscle mass in older people and people with health conditions that lead to muscle wasting.
11. Rich in Iron
Soy butter is filled with iron which helps treat anemia. Symptoms of anemia are fast heart rate, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. A high iron diet helps provide the necessary oxygen for muscle contraction and endurance. Iron also boosts immunity, which is necessary to fight against infections and diseases. It also promotes hemoglobin, which provides oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs.
People who bruise easily may have an iron deficiency because hemoglobin affects the production and function of platelets, and platelets control blood clotting. Studies have shown that low iron causes insomnia. So, the iron in the soy butter will help the deficiency and restore sleep.
12. Reduces Chances of Cancer
Soy butter is rich in isoflavones, a phytonutrient found in soy. Scientists think that it actually shrinks breast tumors. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world for men. In Asia, where people eat much more soy than other places, they get prostate cancer much less than other places. Scientists think isoflavones called genistein and daidzein may slow or even stop tumor growth in the prostate.
Conclusion
If you have always opted for peanut butter for making delicious sandwiches for breakfast, you are missing out on a lot of health benefits that come from soy butter. The best thing about soy butter is that it is a rich source of protein and fiber, hence a good choice for fitness enthusiasts.
You can also make soy butter at home without needing much experience – so, go ahead make it at home and enjoy all the health benefits it offers.