Medical benefits of Natto
While Natto is very popular now the History of Natto is still relatively unknown by most people. In fact, even the experts have difficulties pinpointing these origins. However, there is some information that is known. For instance, the things that are needed to grow natto like tools and materials can be found most anywhere in Japan, and have been for centuries. To be a bit more exact, there is information that has been discovered to show that natto was used back in the Jomon period at about 10,000 to 300 BC. Yet other facts that were uncovered reported that it dated back and was first discovered during the Zhou Dynasty in China, around 1134 to 246 BC.
And this is why it is so hard to pin down any one single timeline for the History of Nato. But another story has surfaced where natto may have first been discovered by the Minamoto no Yoshiie soldiers during a skirmish sometime between 1086 and 1088. The story goes that these soldiers were busy preparing the feed for their horses when they were attacked. The feed for their horses was cooked soybeans. What was reported was that they had forgotten the hot beans for many days after the battle as they packed it all up into straw bags. And when they finally remembered the beans they found that they had fermented.
The story then continues to explain that the soldiers then ate these beans and found that they were very good.
But yet another source states that the History of Natto is much younger. This source claims that natto was discovered during the Edo period which was around 1603 to 1867. But this finding is a bit fuzzier as it states that many people had discovered it at roughly different times. However, there is strong evidence of when there was a significant change to how natto was made as recently as Taisho period (1912-1926). This is when their researchers had found a way to make a natto starter culture that contained Bacillus natto without having to use straw. This made it much easier to make natto, and it made the outcome much more regular.
But with the History of Natto also comes the benefits. The Japanese say that natto is very good for your health, and this is even been medically proven. But what is it in this product that makes it so healthy?
• Pyrazine is a compound found in natto that not only adds to the smell of it but also prevents blood clots.
• Serine Protease is also found in it and it is an enzyme called nattokinase. This enzyme helps reduce the risk of blood clots in two ways. The first way is by what is called direct fibrinolysis of clots, and the second way is by inhibition of the plasma protein plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. Further, it can prevent thrombosis and the results of that which are heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms.
• Nattokinae is an extract from the natto, and it can be used in a dietary supplement. Results of extensive tests done on this have shown that when delivered in the right way it can enhance fibrinolytic activity in the rats and dogs that it was tested on. And therefore it is very possible that it can do the same in humans.
• In addition, some of the more recent History of Natto which dates only to 2009 shows that studies have been done in Taiwan that have shown that nattokinase can also help with amyloid-type diseases like Alzheimer’s. This is done by your amyloid fibrils being degraded by the substance.
• Natto has also found to help prevent osteoporosis due to the fact that it contains a big amount of Vitamin K. This Vitamin K is responsible for the formation of calcium binding groups in your proteins which helps build bones.
• Another great affect of natto is the fact that it also has antibiotic properties. In fact, the History of Natto shows us that there was research done by the Imperial Japanese Navy back prior to WWII for natto to be used for dysentery.
• Because of the low amount of calories found in natto it has also been used as a way to prevent obesity.
• Other uses of natto include an ingredient addative for pet foods, reducing the effects of aging, and even helping your digestion. However, although there have been studies on these last benefits, they have yet to be confirmed.