Grinding the stems of wasabi into a paste can be used as a seasoning. Besides being used in cold dishes like sashimi and seafood donburi, wasabi paste can also be added to a variety of dishes, including cold soba noodles and ochazuke (tea rice). We’ll introduce some culinary applications later. Although wasabi paste often plays a supporting role in dishes, it also has five significant health benefits.

Health Benefits of Wasabi

Antibacterial Effect

Grinding wasabi into a paste disrupts its cells, activating the myrosinase enzyme within the plant and reacting with other components. I won’t go into the details here, but the end result is the production of isothiocyanates.

This component is responsible for wasabi’s pungent flavor and can inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria. This is why wasabi paste is often added to sashimi. Studies have even shown that wasabi can enhance the prevention of Helicobacter pylori gastrointestinal infections.

However, once isothiocyanates are produced, they decrease over time, so it’s recommended to consume grated wasabi promptly.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Whether due to trauma, infection, or other causes, if the body’s immune system is weakened, inflammation may occur.

If this is accompanied by cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other medical conditions, inflammation may become uncontrollable.

However, the isothiocyanates mentioned above have been shown in animal studies to inhibit certain inflammatory cells and enzymes, such as interleukins and cyclooxygenase, thereby reducing inflammation.

Fat-Loss Effects

Although we typically only consume the stems of wasabi, some studies suggest that the edible leaves contain compounds (such as 5-HFA ester) that can inhibit the growth and formation of fat cells.

In fact, animal studies have shown significant effects. Even in a daily diet high in fat and calories, wasabi leaves can inhibit fat cell production, whereas the stems do not. Anti-cancer Benefits

Research has found that the isothiocyanate in wasabi can help inhibit acrylamide, a potentially carcinogenic component, during the Mena reaction. The Mena reaction is a browning reaction that occurs when sugars and proteins (amino acids) are heated to above 140°C, releasing a fragrant aroma.

This reaction is particularly common during frying or grilling. Wasabi is a member of the cruciferous family, and like other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, it is believed to have anti-cancer properties.

Culinary Uses of Wasabi

The most common way to use grated wasabi is to mix it with sauces like soy sauce and mayonnaise and use it as a dipping sauce for sashimi, cold soba noodles, fried foods, and more. However, in addition to grated wasabi, there are also wasabi powders and wasabi salt and pepper powders that are suitable for sprinkling on meat, fish, and other foods.

When marinating meat, you can add grated or powdered wasabi to marinades. For dishes like noodle soup or rice porridge, you can also mix grated or powdered wasabi directly into the broth. The leaves of wasabi can also be used to make soup with chicken, pork ribs, and other ingredients.