Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from fermented soybeans. The name is extracted from Natto, a traditional Japanese soybean dish. The bacteria involved in fermentation produce the enzyme nattokinase, which is now being studied in detail by scientists.
Nattokinase is a remarkable enzyme derived from the traditional Japanese food Natto. It has been consumed for centuries and is produced by fermentation: A process in which microorganisms such as bacteria are intentionally used to produce a food product. Yogurt, cheese, tempeh and kombucha are all examples of fermented foods.
Fermentation is one of the oldest food techniques we know, and fermented foods have been consumed by humans for over 10,000 years. It was originally used for better preservation of food, but recent research shows that it also has many health benefits: [1]
- Fermented foods are easier to digest
- Fermented foods contain many live microorganisms that contribute to a healthy microbiome
- Fermented foods are a source of vitamin C, iron and zinc and help the body to produce vitamin B12.
- Fermentation breaks down the sugars in food, such as the lactose in yogurt.
In the case of nattokinase, fermentation occurs by adding Bacillus subtilis natto to soybeans.