Posted on 09/15/2021 1:57:03 PM PDT by nickcarraway
An enzyme in Japanese food natto beans could help to prevent Covid-19 infection, according to research conducted by Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT).
The fermented soya beans, which have been a popular foodstuff in Japan for over 1,000 years, contain extracts which researchers believe break down spike proteins on the surface of coronavirus, in turn preventing it from infecting other cells.
This is a fairly significant discovery because people become infected with Covid when the spike proteins on the virus' surface become attached to receptors on the human cell.
If natto beans break down the spike proteins, it could prevent the virus from attaching to the human cell and therefore prevent infection.
It is not yet certain as to what the exact molecular mechanism responsible for destroying the spike protein is, but it is thought more than one enzyme may be involved.
Scientists combined the extract with the Covid virus in test tubes and discovered it prevented infection of cultured cells.
However, since the experiment used extract, it is currently unclear as to whether simply eating the natto beans would produce the same results.
What are natto beans?
Natto is a traditional Japanese dish made of fermented soya beans, known for its slimy, sticky and stringy texture.
The flavour is often described as nutty, with the beans typically served with rice and soy sauce.
A recognised health food, natto is lauded for its highly nutritious qualities, with the fermentation developing high levels of probiotics which can improve digestion.
Other suggested health benefits include strengthening the immune system and promoting a healthier heart.
Indeed, Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world, with low occurrence of strokes and heart disease.
What have scientists said about the experiment?
Although early experiments suggest natto beans could play a role in treating Covid, further research is required to understand how this could work in humans.
Speaking to Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, author of the study Tetsuya Mizutani said: "Further verification is needed to determine whether it could be a method to prevent an increase in the number of infected people if there are antiviral properties in the food product."
If they are anything like the beans I usually eat, no one wants to get within 20 feet of me afterwords. My wife even makes me sleep in the den.
As such, I am not exposed to any germs or viruses.
Soy has estrogen, no thanks.
My wife and I have eaten natto beans on and off, for over a dozen years.
They are strangely slimy, but otherwise don’t have much taste, which is why they give you both a vinegar and a mustard packet.
They are the highest source of vitamin K2-MK7 in the world.
Are you SURE it’s just the beans that keep people away? 😇
Sorry, just joking!
20 feet is more separation than the COVID standard 6 feet. Flatten the curve. Brrrap!
May I ask: WHY do you eat them, if they are slimy and don’t have much taste?
And just six days ago: "Italian Study Shows That Oral Probiotics Comprising Lactic Acid Bacteria And Bifidobacteria Decreases Risk Of Respiratory Failure In COVID-19
I'm willing to give it a try if Fauci comes out against it.
Lived in Japan 3 years. Love love love 99.9% of Japanese food. Natto (fermented soy beans that are nearly rotting) is not one of those. Shiokara (salted fermented squid or fish intestines) is another. Call me picky.
Hmmm, I’ll be on the fence.
Natto is fermented. So no problem with the estrogen issue.
And in next weeks news, Researcher at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) who says Natto Beans good to ward off COVID has large Naato Bean farm.
So do soy beans, tofu, tempeh, soy beverages, linseed (flax), sesame seeds, wheat, berries, oats, barley, dried beans, lentils, rice, alfalfa, mung beans, apples, carrots, wheat germ, ricebran if you’re talking about phytoestrogens.
Cow’s milk has actual estrogen. All animal products contain estrogen.
Since the highly infectious Delta variant now rules the roost, folks should grind up the beans into a fine dry powder and inhale the powder through the nasal cavities.
But seriously penicillin being discovered by observation of the effects of a mold on a lab specimen of bacteria is simply one of many medicines being serendipitously discovered from nature.
At equal levels?
The only things I consume on your list are berries, oats, and carrots.
“Cow’s milk has actual estrogen.”
“Milk is for babies.”
- Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was still cool
How about castor beans? :)
I take it you don't eat meat, then? And that you are a plant?
Anyway, natto is a traditionally fermented food, so there would be no such issues anyway.
Vitamin K2, I believe.
But even if it you didn't like the taste, it makes you feel good, and, at least for me, I run/hike faster after I eat it, not to mention other health benefits.
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