The Health Benefits of Edamame

Edamame can be a great way to work fiber and protein into your diet. This green legume is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, like folate and vitamin K1.

Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, shares what we know about the health benefits of edamame.

What is edamame?

Edamame is a young type of soybean that’s commonly eaten in Asian culture. It’s often sold in grocery stores, frozen in their pods (which are inedible) or shelled. It needs to be cooked before eating.

One cup (or 160 grams) of cooked edamame has approximately:

• 224 calories
• 13.8 grams of carbohydrates
• 8 grams of fiber
• 3.38 grams of sugar
• 18.5 grams of protein

It also provides these nutrients:

• Vitamin K1
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Folate
• Copper
• Thiamine
• Riboflavin
• Calcium

Is edamame good for you?

Yes. Edamame is full of nutrients. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Zumpano outlines the potential health benefits of the legume.

It’s full of fiber

Edamame is a great source of soluble fiber.

Fiber is essential for your gut health. It helps keep your bowel movements regular. It also feeds good bacteria into your gut microbiome. And, soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

It’s a good source of plant-based protein

If you’re looking for more ways to add plant protein to your meals, try edamame. It’s the highest protein legume.

It’s also considered a complete protein, meaning it provides all the amino acids your body needs but can’t make on its own. Protein is your body’s main building block used to make your muscles, tendons and skin tissues.

It may support heart health

Research shows that edamame may help lower LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol.

“Edamame contains phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol from entering your bloodstream,” explains Zumpano. “Phytosterols mimic the way cholesterol looks.”

The fiber, antioxidants and vitamin K found in edamame may also contribute to supporting heart health.

It may help with blood sugar regulation

Research shows that edamame may be a smart choice for people with Type 2 diabetes, as it’s a low glycemic index food.

“That means, when consumed, edamame is going to be less impactful on your blood sugar,” explains Zumpano. “Foods that are high in fiber and protein take longer to digest and can help keep your blood sugar from spiking.”

It may protect against cancer

There’s been a lot of concern around if soy can cause breast cancer. But experts say the research consistently shows that soy-based foods don’t increase your risk of breast cancer.

In fact, research shows the isoflavones (a type of polyphenol that mimics estrogen) found in edamame may help protect against breast, lung and prostate cancers. But Zumpano stresses it’s worth a conversation with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned.

“If you have existing breast cancer, ask your oncologist how they feel about you having soy,” she advises. “Most of the time, they’re going to say it’s safe and protective.”

It may help ease menopause symptoms

During menopause, your levels of estrogen drop. That can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, weight gain and mood swings.

“Research shows the phytoestrogens found in soy, edamame and tofu can naturally help your body’s own production of estrogen,” says Zumpano. “This may help reduce menopause symptoms.”

It may support bone health

More research is needed, but some studies show that edamame and other soy foods may protect against bone loss in women who are in menopause or are postmenopausal.

“Isoflavones may have a beneficial effect on bone formation markers, but this requires more extensive research to fully understand the impact,” stresses Zumpano.

Are there any risks of eating edamame?

If you have a soy allergy, you should avoid edamame.

Additionally, the research is mixed on whether edamame may affect how your thyroid functions. That means it may interfere with certain thyroid medications, like levothyroxine.

“It’s recommended that you avoid consuming soy products close to the timing of taking this medication,” states Zumpano. “You don’t have to avoid it completely. Just be careful about timing.”

Key takeaways

Edamame can be a great way to add more protein and fiber into your meals. To prepare edamame, you can steam, boil, microwave or fry them. They make a simple, healthy snack on their own, but you can also add them to stir-fries, salads and more.

“I love edamame. I often serve it as an appetizer for my family to snack on while I’m preparing dinner,” shares Zumpano. “It’s a quick and easy way to get plant-based protein in your meals and snacks.”