Coconut Aminos vs Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is so dang tasty, and that’s why it’s ubiquitous in Asian cuisine.

The problem with soy sauce is that it’s so tasty and it’s everywhere and because of that, people may be doing untold harm to their bodies by consuming it.

Many soy sauces have 3 things working against them.

1 - They’re often made with wheat, which doesn’t work if you’re GF

2 - They’re all made of soy (fermented or not, soy is often problematic)

3 - Some of them have MSG in them that could potentially cause health issues

For these reasons, using alternatives to soy sauce may be something you want to consider.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that if you get a gluten-free and organic soy sauce and use it sparingly that it probably isn’t going to impact your health all that much. But, having the option to enjoy something similar to soy sauce and not worry about how it will potentially interfere with your health is a worthy pursuit.

And that’s where coconut aminos come into play.

Coconut aminos are a rising star in the health food market because they are healthy and because they allow people who have issues with soy to enjoy their favorite foods without fear.

So, let me show you why it’s awesome and why you might want to consider using it.

All about Coconut Aminos

Making coconut aminos is a simple process. Not that you’d be able to do it easily (unless you live in an area where there are tons of coconuts).

To make it the sap from coconut blossoms is collected and then fermented. The resulting liquid is then blended with mineral-rich sea salt. And there you have it.

Soy sauce is made from unfermented or fermented soybeans, and soy has numerous problems associated with it.

What exactly would cause you to avoid soy sauce?

Take a look:

• Soy contains phytoestrogen, which can mimic biological estrogen and is linked to hormonal cancers, diseases, and fertility disruptions. It is the most common phytoestrogen in the Western diet.
• Over 90% of soy in the U.S. is genetically modified.
• Soy often contains gluten, which may be problematic for those with gluten sensitivity.
• Many soy sauce products sold in the U.S. are artificially fermented using acid hydrolyzation to extend their shelf life.
• Soy products often contain MSG, a food additive that can cause health problems in some people at high doses.
• Soy sauce is high in sodium, with around 300 milligrams per teaspoon.

And this is why coconut aminos are great.

First off coconut aminos are not an exact analogy to soy sauce as far as taste is concerned. It’s just a bit sweeter and not as salty (part of that is because of how it’s made).

But, beyond being similar in taste, coconut aminos also can improve your health. Yeah, that’s what’s cool about coconut aminos. Using them won’t harm your health (like soy can), but you can improve it!

Take a look.

1 - It Can Help Improve Blood Sugar:

Over the past several years, there has been a significant amount of research conducted to identify the causes and risks associated with the obesity epidemic in the United States.

I talk about it all the time, and how improving blood sugar control can help to improve health by reducing the chance you become obese.

While there are many contributing factors, a 2015 study conducted at the University of California specifically highlighted the dangers of a diet rich in soybean products as opposed to coconut products. According to the study, mice following diets high in soybean products are at a higher risk of developing metabolic issues and diabetes.

But mice eating a coconut-rich diet reduced the risk of these health issues.

It's important to note that these findings do not provide a quick or short-term solution to any health problem.

I know you know that I’m not saying that using coconut aminos will cure you of anything. But, as an adjunct (and a replacement for soy), it’s great. However, they remind us that a diet filled with food that is beneficial to the body and maintained over time can reduce the risk of many health issues that people often fear.

2 - They Can Increase Immune Health

I’ve written about how coconuts can help your immune system (just search the blog for coconut, and you’ll see).

One of the cool things about them is that they have a ton of antioxidants in them and that can help with immune health.

According to research published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, coconut products are high in antioxidants.

These antioxidants work to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals, which can contribute to a range of health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.

But that's not all - coconut products are also an excellent source of healthy saturated fats. Contrary to what some "experts" may say, these fats are not bad for you. Again, I’ve discussed that many times.

And these fats are essential for supporting (and boosting) your immune system.

Soy cannot make such strong claims!

3 - It Can Boost Heart Health

Part of the reason people like me (or I should say, doctors like myself) have been advocating coconut oil is because of how its fat structure supports heart health.

Studies have shown that coconut can increase HDL cholesterol levels, which is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) from your bloodstream. This, in turn, can contribute to a healthier heart. A longitudinal study published in 2015 found that individuals who consumed coconut oil daily had higher HDL cholesterol levels than those who didn't.

In addition, coconut products are rich in antioxidants that can help protect your heart and regulate blood pressure levels. A study published in Pharmaceutical Biology found that the antioxidants present in coconut have cardioprotective effects and help to prevent increases in blood pressure.

Conclusion

Soy sauce is probably not that bad for you (unless you’re getting the lower-quality, lower-cost versions). 

Coconut aminos are better in a ton of ways.

It’s gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO, vegan, and many of them you will find are fully organic and also have additional benefits like heart health and disease prevention.