health benefits of Japanese natto beans & other beans
According to a February 2026 study of natto in Nutrition Insight, a popular Japanese delicacy made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto, is rich in supersulfide molecules that are beneficial for health. The super-sulfide helps with cellular metabolism, according to the study.
Professor Hideshi Ihara at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Science in Japan, microbial fermentation dramatically alters the supersulfide molecule profile of plants. In addition, natto has antioxidant, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, and polyamines, peptides, and nattokinases (1).
While lacking the range of health benefits of natto (such as supersulfide), Refried beans are pinto beans that have been cooked, mashed, and then fried on the stovetop. Beans are a plant-based protein, and great source of nutritious micronutrients such as copper, manganese, selenium, thiamin, riboflavin, and more (Your Latin Nutritionist, January 2025).
They are a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in your gut. It helps certain good bacteria produce short chain fatty acids which support a healthy gut. Refried beans have shown in studies they are effective at lowering total and LDL (unhealthy cholesterol) (2).
