Washing across Asia has given us the wonderful opportunity to sample a variety of Asian foods and flavors, including wasabi. Rich in medicinal values, this Asian vegetable is cultivated in both Japan and China and is now enjoying a revival in popularity in culinary circles in North America. Known for its bright, fresh color and sharp pungent taste, wasabi is now staples of sushi and Oriental noodle dishes throughout the United States. Along with the rich nutritional value and many delicious recipes for this delicious Asian vegetable, the nutritional value of the wasabi you find in your supermarket or Asian market will vary. The amount of nutrition provided by the various foods you can order in stores varies depending on the manufacturer and nutritional content label on the product. It is important that you ensure the nutritional value and food compatibility of the ingredients you select when purchasing and preparing this food from either an Asian market or a supermarket in the U.S.
The nutritional value of Wasabi itself is not particularly noteworthy. In contrast, the nutritional value of some of the other components it contains such as potassium and calcium is relatively high. Wasabi consists mainly of amino acids with the main ones being protein, calcium and manganese. However, calcium and potassium are present in relatively high concentrations in a number of plant foods including, but not limited to, black beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, wheat, soybeans and rice. As far as protein goes, wasabi contains less than half of what is found in steak and seafood.
One of the main reasons that we have decided to incorporate Wasabi into our diet is because of the value of the three main nutrients it contains. The presence of protein, calcium and manganese are all important to overall health, which is one reason that it has become a popular replacement for meat and seafood in western diets. These nutrients play an important role in supporting healthy bone growth, strong bones and strong nails. The presence of vitamin C, which are found in fruits and vegetables, and potassium, which are found in bananas, assists in the absorption of other important nutrients and aids in their processing and utilization.
The medicinal properties of Wasabi are also worth noting. While it can be consumed without causing any negative side effects, the calorie count of the product will depend largely on the amount of water used in cooking the leaves. The calories in Wasabi may therefore become more manageable depending on its water content. Wasabi’s natural sweetness is what tends to keep the overall calorie count of the product down. This means that although you do lose some calories from the process of cooking the leaves, the nutritional benefits of this sweet treat will be retained for the consumer.
On a personal note, Wasabi also has some beneficial effects on blood pressure and cholesterol. Studies have found that Wasabi contains adequate amounts of potassium and calcium, two of the three required for good blood circulation and proper function of the cardiovascular system. Interestingly enough, Wasabi was also found to help lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels by about five percent. This makes Wasabi a good source of nutrition not just for hypertension sufferers, but also for heart patients who may benefit from its potassium and calcium benefits.
Overall, Wasabi is considered to be a mild vitamin C supplement. Its effects on the body are comparable to that of Vitamin C but does not provide the same amount of hydration as the latter vitamin does. Therefore, like most vitamin supplements, a reasonable daily dosage of Wasabi would not be expecting more than 200 mg of these vitamins and no more. If you are suffering from high blood pressure, you may want to check with your doctor if this product is appropriate for you. Also, if you are on other medications such as an anti-depressant or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in pill form, you may want to check how powerful or potent the concentration of these vitamins in your tablet is before taking it.