When people think of sushi, they often connect wasabi to fish. Wasabi is used in soy sauce and then combined with fresh fish to balance the flavor. It is often associated with a spicy flavor. This is how most Americans perceive wasabi. However, what we know as wasabi isn’t actually “real” wasabi at all in Japan (it’s green paste).
So what does real wasabi even consist of? And what does that green paste we eat in America if it’s not actual wasabi? And here’s the more important question. Is either kind of wasabi good or bad for you? We wanted to answer all your concerns about the health benefits of this popular condiment, so we examined what real wasabi is and isn’t, and how you can incorporate it into your diet best
“Real” wasabi vs. “fake” wasabi
It turns out that most wasabi served in America is actually fake. Real wasabi, aka Japanese horseradish, is a root vegetable. It’s one of the hardest commercial plants to grow and it grows best in Japan. In the United States, there are only a few true wasabi farmers. Most sushi restaurants use a mixture of horseradish paste, mustard and green food dye.
That’s the condiment you call wasabi. You prepare real wasabi by removing the leaves and grinding down the stem into a light green paste. One of the key differences between real and fake wasabi is the level of heat.
Real wasabi’s spicy heat lasts only a couple minutes while its substitute gives heat that lasts much longer. Real wasabi tastes cleaner, smoother and more “plant-like” than its substitute does–which inevitably makes it difficult to find in stores and restaurants because it’s so rare!
What are the health benefits of wasabi?
Real wasabi has a number of benefits. One surprising benefit of wasabi is its ability to treat food poisoning. Wasabi’s main component, allylisothiocyanate (AIT), slows down the spread of food poisoning and fungal infections in the body.
Real wasabi is also a source of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, folate and isothiocyanates. It has anti-tumor properties and can also fight parasites like parasites that attack seafood! Fake wasabi contains an even smaller amount of iron and potassium than real wasabi does and has no nutritional value at all.
Is wasabi good for gut health?
Although real wasabi does have some health benefits, the full effects on your gut aren’t clear. That’s because testing in humans hasn’t been extensive enough yet. In a 2017 study, researchers infected gerbils with H. pylori. This is a bacteria strain that causes stomach issues and ulcers. The study focused on the effects of eating wasabi leaves and the component AIT. It found that the wasabi led to reduced stomach lesions and other effects of H. pylori in the gerbils.
Is wasabi unhealthy in any way?
People who consume too many products with high sodium can experience negative side effects, such as headaches and nausea. If you have a soy allergy or want to avoid added ingredients, it’s recommended that you steer clear of artificial wasabi substitutes. Additionally, the real thing may have effects that are worse than what’s being reported in these substitutes.
What are the negative side effects of real wasabi?
Real wasabi is not only beneficial to your health, but it can also come with a few potential downsides. It’s best to speak with your doctor before adding it to your diet. Some positive and negative effects include: irritates stomach lining, causes stomach irritation and acid reflux, contains a hepatotoxin that can cause liver damage.
What are some ways to incorporate wasabi in cooking?
If you love wasabi, here’s some great news. It isn’t too difficult to incorporate this Japanese condiment into your diet and make it work for your lifestyle. But it is an expensive and rare ingredient, so save it for special occasions. You can use wasabi on top of fish like sushi or sashimi and dip the fish in soy sauce before taking a bite. Whether you’re buying real or fake stuff, we highly recommend eating wasabi in moderation
Real wasabi is wonderful as an occasional flavor enhancer to many dishes, but it’s not too difficult to incorporate into your diet if you choose to have it. However, because it’s so expensive and rare, you’ll want to save it for special occasions. You can use the flavoring powder with soy sauce for a delicious dish, such as sushi or sashimi. In the traditional Japanese manner, place the wasabi on top of the fish when preparing the dish.
