Have you ever thought that a lip-smacking dish could be equally delicious? Well, this is true for a healthy snack that contains yogurt, marinated soya and some delicious spices in it. You may have guessed it right, it is soya chaap. This is a dish that could be consumed in various forms, thanks to local people all over north India that it leads to so many variations. Many people have heard of this coming in Delhi, but it has now spread to most of northern India. Let us see that this delicious dish has some nutritional benefits or not.
What is Soya Chaap?
For those of you who do not know, soya chaap are made up of soya chunks that are baked in the clay oven or in a tandoor. Ms. Shilpa Singh, Clinical Nutritionist from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow spoke about the health benefits of this dish. This dish looks similar to paneer or soya chunks that are used as vegetables. It looks like a non-vegetarian dish in most appearance and tastes also somewhat similar. It has a chewy texture to it, which if made properly breaks down into smaller particles very easily. Soya chaap is usually available in food stalls, eatery points and now in many of restaurants as well. It is an important part of Asian diet and is now has many variations with gravy and other ingredients.
Nutritional Facts about Soya Chaap
- 11.2 grams of Protein
- 4.1 gram of carbohydrate
- 0.7gram saturated fats
- 5.8 grams of fats
- 6.5 grams of Fibre
Health Benefits of Soya Chaap
1. Provides great source for antioxidants
Antioxidants are in high amount in the soya chaap because it has compounds called isoflavones. Soya chaap is made up of polyphenols that minimize oxidative stress and reduce problems related to inflammation. The damage done by free radicals can also be reduced because of eating soya chaap. The aging symptoms such as wrinkles and dark circles can also be reduced. Antioxidants provided by soya chaap can affect chronic diseases reduce effects. This is provided by another antioxidant called saponins in the process.
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2. May also alleviate symptoms of menopausal symptoms
Soya chaap nutrients also have a great deal of evidence based on numerous studies that it can reduce symptoms of menopause. However this is only for soya chaap in raw form and not the ones that are available in the market. This is because there is oil, cream and other spices that can balance the efficiency symptoms.
In general it can lower the risk of breast cancer and are known as phyto-oestrogen. It can cause a weaker form of hormones in the body, this can be peri-menopausal symptoms which affect hot flashes and mood changes during time of menopause.
3. Plant based proteins
Most of the high protein foods are based on non-vegetarian dishes, whereas soya chaap is one of the foods that provide plant based proteins. Amino acids that are present in chaap can reduce and repair the immune system. The digestive ability of soya chaap could improve functions of cells that repair the immunity of the body. In the good proteins, there are studies that suggest animal protein. It can be easily digested and protein can be used for gaining muscle strength to people.
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4. It Supports Heart Health
Many people have this misunderstanding that soya chaap has phytosterols. Soya beans that are used to make soya chaap have good cholesterol in them, it is used to inhibit greater absorption rate in the blood that could have benefits on your health. Eating soya chaap can also be associated with lower rate of low density of lipoproteins that can be beneficial for your heart health.
Regular consumption of legumes, including soya beans have better consumption rate and fibre is also present in chaap that could have a positive effect on your health.
5. Bone health can also be improved
Soya chaap is also beneficial for mid aged women that are moving towards their 40’s. Lower levels of oestrogen also are linked to raw use of soya in delivering for the calcium. There are studies that have said to have isoflavones which reduce bone loss that happens along with growing age. It can be equivalent to practical perspectives and increase the life span of bone strength in a person. Consuming soya chaap can also have a positive effect on the minerals present in the bones.
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