NHS doctor reveals the weight loss benefits of Japanese miso soup: “Makes you feel full sooner…”

Miso soup, a traditional Japanese breakfast, is now trending as a gut-healthy and weight-loss-friendly food, thanks to its probiotic and prebiotic benefits. (Image: Pexels)

Fitness enthusiasts and those looking to lose weight are fast turning to miso soup in the morning, a Japanese food with multiple health benefits. Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS doctor, took to his Instagram to explain its benefits and how it really helps to have this delicious, nutrient-packed broth.

Dr Rajan first stitched a video of an individual who shared, “Here’s a quick weight loss hack from somebody who’s already lost 10 pounds as of last month: Japanese food, specifically miso soup in the morning.”

He called the miso a “simple gut health hack,” explaining how consuming it keeps you full faster and longer. “When soybeans are fermented to make miso, the soy proteins are partially digested into fermented soy peptides, and when they reach the colon, your gut bacteria can ferment them even more, producing faster activation of fullness hormones like GLP-1, PYY, and CCK, potentially making you feel fuller sooner and longer, even at a low calorie load,” he said.

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Additionally, he added that the fermentation also turns soy carbohydrates into prebiotics. Although miso isn’t high in fibre, it still has strong prebiotic properties, which implies its ingredients can positively influence your gut microbiome.

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A post shared by Dr Karan Rajan (@drkaranrajan)

Finally, Dr Rajan said, “Fermentation generates probiotics but even though most of the bacteria in miso may die when heated, you still get health benefits because the cell fragments of bacteria and the beneficial bioactive compounds they produce are heat stable. These can interact with the immune system and still exert some gut benefits and these are known as postbiotics and you can find postbiotics in most fermented foods even the ones that are heated like sourdough bread.”

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He advised that if you want to increase the probiotic load, you can mix miso into water that’s below boiling temperature. This is also why traditional Japanese meals often begin with miso—it’s filling, low in calories, and helps trigger the body’s “I’m full” signal early on.

FAQs on health benefits of Miso soup:

What are the health benefits of miso soup?

Miso soup is a Japanese food with multiple health benefits, including aiding weight loss, improving gut health, and providing strong prebiotic properties.

How does miso soup help with weight loss?

Miso soup helps with weight loss by producing faster activation of fullness hormones, making you feel fuller sooner and longer, even at a low-calorie load.

What is the role of fermentation in miso soup?

Fermentation of soybeans to make miso partially digests soy proteins into fermented soy peptides and turns soy carbohydrates into prebiotics, providing positive effects on the gut microbiome.

Do the probiotics in miso soup survive heating?

Most of the bacteria in miso may die when heated, but their cell fragments and beneficial bioactive compounds remain heat stable, still offering health benefits known as postbiotics.

How can I increase the probiotic load in miso soup?

To increase the probiotic load, mix miso into water below boiling temperature, which preserves more probiotics.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.