Have you become interested in tofu for weight loss purposes? Considering the fact that more than one-third of the global population consumes this soy-based product on a regular basis, it only stands to reason that a number of health benefits exist.
However, there are still some pertinent questions to address. For instance, is it possible to lose weight by eating tofu every day? How much weight can you expect to lose with such a method? Let’s address these logical concerns by highlighting five impressive tofu health benefits and their potential long-term impacts.
A Look at the Benefits of Tofu in the Body
Although some individuals may consider tofu to be a rather bland and even “boring” food, its amazing health effects cannot be denied. The five examples outlined below should serve to cement this observation.
The Benefits of Tofu for Skin Care
As tofu is relatively high in protein (due to its soy-based nature), it can help to add a vibrant and youthful glow to your skin. It may also enhance elasticity, tone your facial muscles and even moderately abate the signs of aging.
Heart Health
Tofu represents a rich source of isoflavones. Isoflavones are chemicals that have been shown to reduce “bad” levels of cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) within the bloodstream. In turn, regularly consuming tofu may decrease your chances of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart disease.
Rich in Antioxidants
Tofu is a well-known source of powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help to prevent and even reverse cellular damage resulting from natural oxidation. Evidence suggests that antioxidants may play an important role in preventing some types of cancer and it is already a well-known fact that a diet rich in antioxidants offers numerous anti-inflammatory advantages.
Mitigating the Symptoms of Menopause
Women will also be pleased to know that tofu can sometimes help to lessen the symptoms associated with menopause. Tofu is thought to act as a “phyto-estrogen”, a substance that mimics the natural form of estrogen found within the body. Some females find that consuming tofu is an excellent way to deal with pre- and post-menopausal symptoms.
Effective Blood Sugar Management
One of the reasons why tofu recipes for weight loss have become popular in recent times is associated with how this food can help to control insulin levels. While research is still ongoing, it appears as if tofu is particularly advantageous for individuals who regularly fast.
Employing Tofu for Weight Loss Purposes
We can see that tofu offers a plethora of potential health benefits. Still, might it represent yet another powerful tool within your current weight-loss arsenal? This question is slightly more difficult to answer than it may appear; everyone has different goals and metabolism also plays a pivotal role.
Those who are hoping to lose weight by adding tofu to their diet can still follow some rough guidelines. Most experts recommend consuming up to two servings each day. Not that this can involve plain tofu or the countless tasty recipes that include other healthy ingredients such as herbs and whole grains.
Another common question involves using tofu to reduce levels of belly fat. Technically known as visceral fat, this fat is actually one of the most difficult types to burn off. Simply consuming tofu will not normally decrease concentrations of belly fat. Other healthy lifestyle changes need to be adopted such as:
- Embracing a balanced diet.
- Avoiding unhealthy cravings throughout the day.
- Remaining adequately hydrated.
- Getting plenty of rest each night.
- Performing some form of regular physical exercise.
Of course, each individual will respond differently to these recommendations. Some may notice a relatively quick drop in their body mass index (BMI) while it might take others a bit more time to begin experiencing the effects.
Tofu: A Humble Food with Impressive Health Benefits
Tofu has been consumed throughout Asia for thousands of years. While relatively new to the western world, countless individuals have already begun to appreciate its health-related benefits. If you are hoping to augment the astounding effects already provided by your Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon, tofu could be a wise choice to consider.
Whether regularly eating tofu for weight loss, cardiovascular health or its anti-inflammatory properties, this food could very well be worth its weight in gold!
