Miso is popular in Japanese and Chinese diets. It is a soybean paste that has sea salt and a mold starter called koji added, and it is sometimes mixed with grains, such as rice. It is fermented for up to three years, and will produce a food rich in live enzymes. It is effective in helping to detox the body to remove toxins from outside elements, like pollution, as well as chemicals that we may ingest from the foods we eat. Almost all of the Japanese begin their day with a cup of warm miso soup like we begin our day with coffee. It is said to aid in digestion, and to give the body energy for the day.

When buying this superfood to add to your diet, be sure that you buy unpasteurized miso so you are getting the powerful live enzyme for the optimum health benefits.

Miso has been scientifically proven to have many powerful health benefits. Here are just a few:

• It strengthens lymph fluids and the blood
• It is full of B vitamins, especially the powerful B12
• It reduces the risk of cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer
• It lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol
• It introduces probiotics into the intestines for healthy digestion
• It is a complete protein, which contains all amino acids the body needs.

These are just a few of the benefits proven by research, and these alone are enough proof that we should be introducing miso into our diets. It can be used in a variety of recipes, and is available in different varieties. The yellow miso, which is used in miso soup, has a mild, slightly salty flavor. Another variety is dark brown miso which is good in sautéed vegetables and stir frys. Be sure to add just a little at a time so the miso does not overpower your dish.