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Miso

Miso as a functional food: fermented soybean paste, what we could and could not find in clinical research, sodium, and tyramine cautions.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Overview

Miso is a paste made by fermenting soybeans, often with a grain, with salt. It is used as a seasoning, usually in small amounts.

What the research shows

Proper evidence was not found. We did not find clinical trials of miso as a food for a health outcome that we could read and verify. PubMed lists a limited number of records tagged as randomized trials that mention miso (see Research); we did not read each one. Where soy foods in general are studied, see Soy foods for the cholesterol evidence, which is for soy protein, not specifically miso. [1]

Safety and individual considerations

  • Salt: miso is salty, and the Dietary Guidelines advise adults to keep sodium below 2,300 mg a day. Check the label. [2]
  • MAOI antidepressants: Mayo Clinic lists fermented sauces and miso among foods to ask your clinician about. [3]
  • Soy allergy: miso contains soy.

Related

Tempeh · Natto

Frequently asked questions

Is miso a probiotic?

Not automatically. [4] Miso is often used in cooking, and heat kills live microbes; proper evidence for live-culture effects was not found.

References

  1. Blanco Mejia S et al. A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults. J Nutr 2019. PMID 31006811.
  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. Check the site for the current edition.
  3. Mayo Clinic. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?.
  4. Marco ML et al. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on fermented foods. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021. PMID 33398112.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.