Soya Sauce Overview
Soy sauce is a very famous and very flavorful seasoning that is used in many Chinese, Mexican, and other foods and cuisines. This sauce is also produced naturally as well as chemically. The taste from both these processes may differ.
Health risks and benefits of both these chemically and naturally produced sauces may also differ. Although Soy sauce has some health risk, the soy sauce that is produced chemically through hydrolysis has more health risks, to reduce health risks use soy sauce that is produced naturally through fermentation.
On the good side soy sauce also has some very good health benefits and s considered mostly as a healthy diet.
What are soy sauce and its production?
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a seasoning that has salt-like taste; this sauce is produced naturally through fermentation of wheat and soybeans. This sauce was used by the Chinese, but now it is used all over the world. Soy sauce is now a very important ingredient in different Asian cuisines as well.
How is soy sauce made?
There are two ways of producing soy sauce. One is a traditional and natural process, while the other is a chemical process. Soy sauce made from these two methods differs in taste, colour, and health profiles. The colour and taste of soy sauce may also differ in different regions of the world.
Natural production
Naturally, the soy sauce is producing by combining soybeans, wheat, salt, and may other small ingredients. All these ingredients are then left for fermentation for about eight months. The fermented material is then compressed to obtain the soy sauce liquid in a bottle.
Chemical production
Chemically the soy sauce is produced through hydrolysis of soy proteins with acid and heat. After this, some extra colours and artificial taste flavours are added to it. Soy sauce made through this process is cheap, quick, and easy.
Use of Soya Sauce
- With the help of soya sauce, people add flavours in their foods. It can make the stews great and is also used in meat and vegetables as a sauce too.
- A light soya sauce can be added to dishes such as vegetables or stir-fried chicken that would not cause them to be dark.
- However, the soy sauces that are dark can be added in the dishes of noodles to give them a dark colour. Because of its sweet sauce, most people use it as a sauce of dipping.
Overdosing on Soya Sauce
Ifan individual overdoses on soy sauce, there are chances for him to go into a coma. Despite being tasty, it also contains an extreme amount of sodium that can be deadly if consumed at a large amount. There was a man once who overdosed on soya sauce and had to go into a coma. Because of the excess amount of salt in his body, that man nearly died.
Health benefits from soy sauce
Soya sauce ha numerous health benefits upon consumption. The potential health benefits from soy sauce include a strong immune system. Soy sauce also prevents many cancerous diseases and is known to maintain blood pressure.
Soy sauce is also known to reduce many allergies as it is a source of many anti-oxidants. It also promotes digestion and improves gut health. It is also known to reduce sugar levels; thus, it is very good for people with diabetes.
Health risks from soy sauce
It has High sodium levels
Soy sauce has a high level of sodium levels, and this means that it is not good for people with high blood pressure issues, because, upon consumption of soy sauce, the blood pressure may rise. However, the level of sodium in soy sauce Is lower than that of salt; this means that it can be used as an alternative and is considered a healthy diet.
May contain substances that can cause cancer.
Soy sauce may contain toxic chemicals that can cause cancer. This health risk is only found in soy sauce that is produced chemically through hydrolysis, due to this reason, it is recommended to use the soy sauce made naturally through fermentation.
Contains amines
Soy sauce contains amines, due to this soy sauce is not recommended to people who are amine sensitive. People who are amine sensitive should reduce the use of soy sauce or avoid using it. It is also not good for sensitivity to histamine.
Contains wheat
People with celiac disease who are allergic to wheat should avoid using the soy sauce in their foods, as soy sauce contains wheat and gluten as well. If you have celiac disease find gluten-free soy sauce, you can check this through the ingredient list at the back of the container.
Best Products of Soy Sauces
Some of the best soy sauces to try right now are;
- San-J Tamari Gluten Free
- Premium lite
- Bluegrass
- Kishibori shoyu
- Pearl River Bridge Golden Label Superior Light
- Wholly Ganjang
- Healthy Boy Brand Mushroom
- Pearl River Bridge Superior Dark Soy Sauce
- 365 Everyday value
- Kikkoman
San-J Tamari Gluten Free
- This is an excellent quality soy sauce and has been used for the past few years. The reason why it is so rich in flavour is that it is made with more soybeans to add more flavour in it as well.
- If an individual is allergic to gluten, then this soy sauce is for them because it does not contains gluten. It can be used in sauces, soups, stir-frying dishes, soups, and casseroles.
Premium lite
- This sauce is award-winning. From the country of Thailand, it is one of the best products, and it is used in the preparation of various dishes such as pasta, fish, sushi, and grilled meat as well.
- It is made with ingredients such as soybeans and wheat. The sodium in the amount is 70%
Kishibori shoyu
- This is a soy sauce that is imported from Japan, and the process for fermentation of this sauce is taken place in a barrel that is a hundred years old.
- It is more unique than others because of its process of fermentation. It has a taste that is smooth, along with having no preservatives or alcohol in it as well.
Pros
- It is a good source of sodium.
- It helps in the regulation of sodium in one’s body.
- It helps in giving good colour to the foods.
Cons
- It can cause high blood pressure.
Conclusion
The sauce of soya can be enjoyed as a part of an individual’s healthy diet, despite being high in sodium.
And it can be consumed, especially when an individual is limiting the amount of food that is processed and is consuming foods that are whole and fresh such as vegetables and fruits.
However, despite its benefits, it can increase the chance of developing the condition of high blood pressure in individuals.