After long-term research in the fields of nutrition, biochemistry, and medicine, it has been discovered that natto has a variety of pharmacological effects and physiological functions. Below are the effects and components of natto.
Effect of Inhibiting Hypertension and Thrombosis (Preventing Lifestyle Diseases):
Consuming natto can prevent and inhibit hypertension and thrombosis. Natto contains nutrients that lower blood pressure and is rich in components that prevent blood clot formation and inhibit arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is caused by repeated inflammation of blood vessels. According to research conducted by Professor Chisato Nagata and colleagues at Gifu University in Japan on the relationship between "dietary habits over 16 years and mortality risk" among 30,000 men and women living in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, it was found that consuming 1-2 boxes of natto per week can reduce the risk of stroke by about thirty percent.
Physiological Effects:
Hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases (stroke, cerebral hemorrhage), ischemic heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction), arteriosclerosis
Effective Components in Natto:
Nattokinase, polyamines (spermine and spermidine), isoflavones, proteins, potassium, phospholipids, saponins, etc.
Effect of Anti-aging (Anti-aging Effect) and Prevention of Aging-related Dementia (Preventing Lifestyle Diseases):
Natto contains many anti-aging components called polyamines, which are five times more abundant than those in spinach. When young, polyamine production in the body is vigorous, but it decreases with age. Additionally, natto contains substances related to brain memory and learning neurotransmitters and assisting substances, as well as nutrients that prevent cell oxidation and promote blood flow.
Physiological Effects:
Hypertension, arteriosclerosis (myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.), dementia, Alzheimer's disease (inhibitory effect under study)
Effective Components in Natto:
Polyamines, choline, phospholipids, vitamin E, vitamin K, linoleic acid, proteins, calcium, magnesium, saponins, isoflavones, nattokinase, etc.
Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Effect:
Natto has excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. In addition to enzymes such as lysozyme that dissolve pathogenic bacteria and natto bacteria that inhibit pathogenic bacterial proliferation, it is rich in nutrients such as pyridine carboxylic acid that are effective against bacteria and microbes.
Physiological Effects:
Salmonella, Shigella, pathogenic Escherichia coli, O-157 Escherichia coli, etc.
Effective Components in Natto:
Lysozyme, natto bacteria, pyridine carboxylic acid, proteins, vitamin B1, minerals (zinc, magnesium), isoflavones, phospholipids, saponins, etc.
Prevention and Inhibition of Colds and Influenza:
Natto contains abundant nutrients that can enhance immunity and replenish lost nutrients due to fever, making it quite effective against colds and influenza. Additionally, pyridine carboxylic acid, a component produced by natto bacteria fermentation, has very strong antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Physiological Effects:
Colds, influenza, etc.
Effective Components in Natto:
Pyridine carboxylic acid, natto bacteria, saponins, proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E, zinc, isoflavones, minerals, etc.
Effect of Preventing Osteoporosis (Preventing Lifestyle Diseases):
Osteoporosis is a disease where bones become fragile, especially in women after menopause. This is because the secretion of the female hormone "estrogen" decreases, causing calcium to dissolve from the bones. In addition to containing bone-forming calcium and proteins, natto also contains a large amount of vitamin K2, which can fix calcium in the bones and inhibit calcium dissolution from the bones.
Physiological Effects:
Osteoporosis
Effective Components in Natto:
Calcium, proteins, vitamin K2, isoflavones, etc.
Prevention and Inhibition of Liver Dysfunction:
Natto not only contains many proteins that make up the liver but also is rich in nutrients that improve liver function, helping to activate liver cell functions.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, essential amino acids, vitamin B2, vitamin E, minerals (zinc, magnesium, potassium, etc.), phospholipids, saponins, etc.
Prevention and Inhibition of Cancer (Preventing Lifestyle Diseases):
Due to the component "soy isoflavones" contained in natto, which is structurally similar to the "female hormone (estrogen)" related to breast cancer and the "male hormone (testosterone)" related to prostate cancer, cancer cells mistake soy isoflavones for hormones, resulting in the inhibition of cancer cell growth. In fact, research conducted by the National Cancer Center of Japan has proven that soy isoflavones contained in natto and miso soup have an inhibitory effect on breast cancer. Additionally, because natto contains natto bacteria, oligosaccharides, and dietary fiber, which can increase beneficial bacteria in the intestines and inhibit harmful bacteria, it also has a preventive effect on colorectal cancer. Soybeans also contain components such as saponins and phospholipids. In Japan, saponins are used as traditional Chinese medicine for treating cancer and have antioxidant effects and immune-enhancing effects.
Physiological Effects:
Breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, cancer in general
Effective Components in Natto:
Isoflavones (especially those in natto are easily absorbed and effective), nattokinase, polyamines, proteins, saponins, vitamin E, selenium, natto bacteria, plant fiber, etc.
Beauty and Weight Loss Effects (Anti-aging Effects):
Natto contains not only rich proteins that constitute skin material but also abundant nutrients effective in skin regeneration, scavenging free radicals, and promoting blood circulation. Moreover, natto contains many easily digestible and absorbable nutrients beneficial for beauty and weight loss.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, vitamin B2, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phospholipids, isoflavones, saponins, mucilage, plant fiber, natto bacteria, polyamines, vitamin PQQ (recently discovered vitamin PQQ has an effect of preventing skin dryness), etc.
Intestinal Regulation and Weight Loss Effects/Low Insulin Weight Loss Effects:
Since natto is a low-calorie food that contains not only abundant proteins but also many nutrients and ingredients necessary for weight loss, such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, etc., it is suitable for weight loss. In addition to improving constipation, natto contains only a small amount of glucose that does not raise blood sugar levels, and its dietary fiber can delay the absorption of fats, thus expecting a low-insulin weight loss effect.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, zinc, plant fiber (contains balanced insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, which can improve intestinal condition), natto bacteria, etc.
Prevention and Inhibition of Menopausal Disorders in Women:
In addition to replenishing the deficiency of female hormones, natto contains effective nutrients for preventing menopausal disorders. Because the decline in the youthful female hormone "estrogen" overlaps with the action of follicle-stimulating hormone, it causes symptoms such as dizziness, imbalance, fever, chills, headaches, shoulder stiffness, restlessness, etc. The components of natto can prevent these menopausal symptoms.
Effective Components in Natto:
Isoflavones, proteins, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, saponins, etc.
Inhibition of Neutral Fat and Cholesterol:
Natto contains abundant nutrients and components that can lower excess neutral fat and cholesterol in the blood, eliminate free radicals, and protect blood vessels to reduce the formation of arteriosclerosis. If cholesterol accumulates on the intimal wall of arteries, it can lead to arteriosclerosis. Due to the oxidative action of deposited cholesterol, inflammation occurs. Polyamines and spermidine can inhibit these aging factors.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, phospholipids, vitamin E, zinc, isoflavones, dietary fiber, etc.
Effect of Preventing Diabetes (Preventing Lifestyle Diseases):
Natto contains a component called "nattokinase." This component not only slows down the absorption of sugars but also prevents a sudden increase in postprandial blood sugar levels. Additionally, natto contains phospholipids and saponins. If there is a lack of phospholipids, the hormone "insulin," which is the only one that can lower blood sugar, cannot be fully produced. Moreover, saponins not only have the effect of lowering blood sugar and cholesterol but also have the effect of enhancing immunity and promoting blood circulation. According to some research reports, natto is an effective food for preventing and improving diabetes.
Effective Components in Natto:
Nattokinase, phospholipids, saponins, proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, etc.
Natto contains many nutrients that can serve as materials for neurotransmitters and promote nerve conduction, making it a food that enhances memory and concentration. Additionally, natto is rich in phospholipids, choline, vitamin K, and other components. Because these components are very effective in activating the brain, they have the effect of preventing brain fatigue and inhibiting the deterioration of dementia.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, phospholipids, choline, vitamin B1, calcium, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, vitamin PQQ (PQQ can enhance memory, concentration, and attention. It is recognized as having a significant preventive effect on memory decline caused by aging, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease), etc.
Fatigue Recovery Effect:
Natto contains many nutrients that not only convert these substances into energy but also enhance cell function and promote blood circulation, making it an effective food for fatigue recovery.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E, phospholipids, potassium, zinc, etc.
Anti-Ulcer Effect:
Natto contains many nutrients that can effectively inhibit gastric and duodenal ulcers and repair mucosal damage. Natto also contains "mucilage," which can protect the gastric mucosa and prevent gastritis and gastric ulcers. It also has "soybean oligosaccharides" and "natto bacteria," which can effectively maintain and improve the intestinal environment. Moreover, because natto also possesses digestive enzymes such as "amylase" that decomposes starch, "lipase" that decomposes fat, and "protease" that decomposes proteins, it can help with digestion.
Effective Components in Natto:
Proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, saponins, etc.
Prevention and Inhibition of Allergic Diseases such as Pollinosis and Atopic Dermatitis:
Natto is rich in nutrients that eliminate the causes of hay fever and allergies, as well as essential nutrients for increasing immunity and enhancing physical strength. Vitamin B2, magnesium, zinc, etc., are indispensable for the body's metabolic processes and have an inhibitory effect on atopic dermatitis caused by dodecyl acids.
Effective Components in Natto:
Mucilage, proteins, vitamin B2, magnesium, zinc, selenium, isoflavones, saponins, etc.
Nutritional Composition of Natto (per 100 grams):
Calories (kcal): 200
Phosphorus (mg): 190
Water (g): 59.5
Iron (mg): 3.3
Protein (g): 16.5
Zinc (mg): 1.9
Fat (g): 10.0
Selenium (μg): 16
Sugar (g): 9.8
Vitamin K (μg): 600
Carbohydrates (g): 12.1
Vitamin B1 (mg): 0.07
Dietary fiber (g): 6.7
Vitamin B2 (mg): 0.56
Ash (g): 1.9
Niacin (mg): 1.1
Sodium (mg): 2
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.24
Folate (μg): 120
Pantothenic acid (mg): 3.60
Biotin/vitamin B7 (μg): 18.2
In particular, the protein content of natto is equivalent to that of three 55-gram eggs on average.