Apparently, I’ve been eating natto since I was a baby.
My mom once told me this, and all I could think was:
“Well then… maybe natto’s literally a part of who I am.”
Flash forward 30+ years—
I’ve become the kind of guy who can’t start the day without stirring up a sticky bowl of natto.
(Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But only slightly 🤭)
There are a lot of ways to feel “centered” in life.
For me, one of the strongest routines—the one that helps me feel grounded—is simple:
Eating natto.
My digestion.
My skin.
My mood.
No matter what, I always find myself thinking:
“Dang… natto really is amazing.”
You know how TV shows and magazines constantly go,
“Did you know? Natto is amazing!”
And I’m like—“Bro… I’ve known that since the beginning of time.”
I am natto’s oldest fan club member, thank you very much.
So today, I’m finally putting it into words:
A heartfelt tribute from a guy who’s loved natto for over 30 years.
This is the story of my Natto Superpower Theory—backed by personal experience and nutritional science.
Got questions like “Is natto really that good for you?” or “What’s the best way to eat it?”
I got you.
With a little humor, and a lot of fermented love—let’s begin! 😆✨
Why Natto Helps Me Feel Centered
Real Talk from 30+ Years of Daily Mixing
I honestly believe natto helps me stay balanced—body and mind.
And it’s not just a feeling. It’s based on what I’ve actually experienced over the years.
🧠 When I don’t eat natto…
There were times when I skipped it—like during travel, business trips, or when my routine got thrown off by night shifts.
And when I did?
Something felt… off.
Not painful, not dramatic, but a weird sense that my gut wasn’t “flowing” like usual.
After a few natto-free days, it hit me:
“Ah… this is a natto shortage.”
Even my skin felt a bit drier or more breakout-prone.
Like my body wasn’t getting something it needed.
And mentally?
I’d get more irritated, or randomly feel down.
Later I found out: gut health and mental health are super connected.
When your gut bacteria are out of balance, stress hits harder. Your mood drops faster.
That “off” feeling?
Yeah—I think that was my gut yelling, “Yo, we miss natto!”
🔁 Back to the Bowl = Back to Balance
Going back to my daily natto routine feels like tuning an instrument—
a little click where things just feel right again.
It’s kinda like… realizing how much you missed your girlfriend after the breakup. 😅
Why It Works: The Nutritional Science Behind Natto
Okay, let’s get into the actual science-y stuff.
Natto isn’t just some weird sticky food—it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Here’s why:
✅ 1. Balanced Nutrition: All 5 Essentials
Natto contains a solid mix of the five key nutrients:
Protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, and minerals.
It’s especially rich in protein—about 16.5g per 100g—with a great balance of essential amino acids.
✅ 2. Fermentation = Better Absorption
Thanks to fermentation, natto has boosted levels of B vitamins like B2 and K.
Plus, your body can absorb those nutrients more easily.
→ That sticky stringiness? That’s the sign of fermentation magic.
✅ 3. Nattokinase: Heart Health Hero
This enzyme is unique to natto.
It’s been studied for its potential to prevent blood clots and support healthy circulation.
Blood flowing smoothly = happy heart.
✅ 4. Bone Support with Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 (abundant in natto) helps prevent osteoporosis by aiding calcium absorption and bone formation.
Your bones will thank you later.
✅ 5. Gut Health Boost
Natto is packed with fermented bacteria + dietary fiber, making it a gut-health double whammy.
And guess what? Natto bacteria are strong—they can survive the journey to your intestines and get to work.
✅ 6. Low-GI & Blood Sugar Friendly
As a low glycemic index food, natto doesn’t spike your blood sugar.
It’s great for steady energy and fits into diets focused on blood sugar control.
✅ 7. Vitamins & Minerals Galore
Natto brings a load of nutrients to the table:
B vitamins, folic acid, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium… the list goes on.
→ Basically, it’s like a multivitamin—but tastier.
How I Eat Natto – Ginga Style
After 30 Years of Mixing, This Is My Way
You’ve heard the science.
Now let’s get to the good stuff: How do I actually eat natto every day?
🫘 My Natto of Choice: Big Beans, Always
I’m team “whole bean natto”—no question.
Why?
I want that full bean feel. I want to taste the soy.
Sure, small bean natto is easier to mix and goes well with rice,
but I’m all about the texture and flavor. Give me those chunky beans!
I’ve tried hikiwari (chopped natto) before…
But it just wasn’t satisfying. I need that bean presence.
🌀 Stirring Technique: My Sticky Ritual
I don’t count exactly, but I’d say about 50 stirs per bowl.
Just enough to get that beautiful, stretchy stickiness.
Also—sauce and mustard come after the mixing.
Why?
Because adding them first ruins the stickiness.
(Yes, I’ve tested this. Yes, I’m serious.)
🧂 My Top 3 Natto Toppings
- The Rich One: Just a raw egg yolk on top = creamy heaven
- The Fermentation Combo: Mix in kimchi = double fermented power
- The Clean Reset: Add a dash of black vinegar = tangy gut refresh
I rotate them depending on my mood,
but the egg yolk version is my favorite when I need that “let’s do this” energy in the morning.
Lately, I’ve also been wrapping natto in seaweed like a mini hand roll.
It’s fun, tasty, and makes breakfast feel like a party 🎉🍣
💡 You might also like:
🍙 Sour But Super! Why Umeboshi Is the Secret Weapon of Japanese Wellness
→ https://otokomomigakujidai.com/umeboshi-superfood/
🌿 Washoku and Longevity: What Makes Japanese Food So Powerful?
→ https://otokomomigakujidai.com/washoku-longevity/
In the End: Natto Is My Go-To for Feeling Good
Looking back, I realize something:
Eating natto every day for over 30 years wasn’t just about taste.
It was instinct. Like my body knew this food worked for me.
Natto is easy to eat, easy to stick with, and its effects are slow but steady.
When my gut feels calm,
When my skin behaves,
When my mood feels just a bit lighter—
That’s when I know: yep, natto did its thing again.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to truly appreciate the power of food.
And natto has stayed right there with me, through it all.
Whether I’m under the weather, or just mentally worn out,
my inner voice always goes:
“Time for natto.”
So yeah—shoutout to my mom for choosing natto as one of my first baby foods.
She really knew what she was doing. 😆
🎒 A Sticky Memory…
Here’s a fun little story from when I was a kid:
One day in elementary school, we had natto for lunch.
Most kids were like “Eww, no thanks!”
Not me.
I proudly said: “If you’re not eating that… I will.”
I ended up polishing off everyone’s natto.
What can I say? I was a sticky little hero.
…Except when I got home, my mom found natto stuck to my back.
Also, there was an unopened mustard packet in my pocket.
Apparently, I really loved natto. 🤭
Even now, whenever I hear that story, I smile.
Because truly—natto has been with me all the way.
この記事を書いた人：ギンガ
「メンズ美容35＋」を運営しているアラフォー男子、ギンガです！
清潔感や健康を、ムリなく・楽しく整えていくために
日々の実体験をゆる〜く発信しています。
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