Table of contents:
- The nutritional content of tempeh
- The benefits of tempeh for our bodies
- 1. A richer source of protein than meat
- 2. An equivalent source of calcium with cow's milk
- 3. The only plant-based source of vitamin B12
- 4. As an antioxidant
- 5. Healthy for babies and those of you who are on a diet
Tempe is a food that is definitely familiar to our eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin. This fermented food made from soybeans has accompanied our lives as Indonesians. The distinctive taste of tempeh and the very different structure of tofu are not only cheap and addicting, but there are many things that can amaze you with nutritional information from tempeh.
The nutritional content of tempeh
Tempe or in English “tempeh” has been researched for its contents not only by Indonesians, but even foreigners out there. The large number of traditional foods that undergo fermentation does not reduce the image of tempe as the most accepted and researched product (Hachmeister & Fung, 2008). According to Hermana, Mien Karmini, and Darwin Karyadi (1996), here is the nutritional comparison between tempeh and meat in 100 grams of serving:
The benefits of tempeh for our bodies
1. A richer source of protein than meat
It can be seen that the protein content in tempeh can be compared to the content in meat, even though it contains more protein. The nutritional content of tempeh is proven to be of better quality than soybeans, because the water-soluble protein content will increase the activity of proteolytic enzymes (Widianarko, 2002). Proteolytic enzymes can break down long protein chains into substances that can be digested by the body.
In addition, tempeh contains less fat, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, vitamin B12, and much more active retinol than meat.
2. An equivalent source of calcium with cow's milk
Research conducted by researchers from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, revealed an amazing thing from this research on tempe. The results of this study indicate that the calcium in four pieces of tempeh can be juxtaposed with cow's milk.
3. The only plant-based source of vitamin B12
Tempe contains 1.7 µg or 0.0017 mg of vitamin B12 which makes tempe the only source of vitamin B12 in plant sources. This content is enough for someone every day. Now vegetarians and vegans do not need to be afraid of losing vitamin B12 which, if deficient, can cause dizziness, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, etc.
4. As an antioxidant
Not only does it contain nutrients that can meet the daily needs of the body, tempeh contains antioxidants (György, Murata, Ikehata, 1964). In the mice that were subjected to the experiment, the mice showed better growth and more resistance to red blood cell hemolysis than mice that were fed regular boiled donkeys. Hemolysis of red blood cells indicates a lack of vitamin E. Vitamin E is proven to be a natural antioxidant (György, Rose, Ann, 1949; Rose, György, Blood, 1950).
5. Healthy for babies and those of you who are on a diet
With the nutritional content in tempe, not only for vegetarians and vegans, tempeh is also good for consumption as a complementary food for breastfeeding (MPASI) and suitable for consumption by those of you who are trying to lose weight.
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