Tempeh rich in benefits amid the new normal

As we need to adjust to the New Normal lifestyle due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we need more than keep our distance, wear a mask and wash hands, and avoid crowds. Importantly, we also need to consume nutritious meals to have a fit immune system. Indonesia‘s traditional dish known as Tempeh has scientifically proved to have millions of benefits and a healthy choice of diet.

Studies show that bacteria have an enormous role in one‘s immune system as it affects the normal function of the human physique. On every meal we eat, whether it dead or alive, these microorganisms give a type of training to our immune system. 

For a long time, Indonesian culture has known the use of bacteria to make a ferment a local cuisine, such as tape singkong, tape ketan, dadih, sayur asin, and Tempeh, which made from fermented soy. Dean of Atma Jaya Biotechnology Faculty Professor Ir Antonius Suwanto explained that consuming Tempeh could increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the human digestive system. In the context of self-protection in adapting to the new normal era, immunity is the primary protection. The prebiotic and paraprobiotic on Tempeh said to be beneficial for the digestive system and immune system. 

"Tempeh is rich in prebiotic and paraprobiotic. That makes Tempeh as an essential dish for us when dealing with coronavirus. Not as a medicine, this is an affordable daily meal for all economic status," said Prof Suwanto in an online seminar titled The Role of Tempe in the New Normal Period, on Saturday (11/6/2020). 

Presenting as a speaker, Dr. dr. Yuda Turana Sp.S explained a correlation between Tempeh and brain health, saying that nutrition found in Tempeh is good for brain function. Research on elderlies who has Tempeh on their diet shows that bacteria on Tempeh were improving their cognitive function. Doctor Yuda, who is also the Dean of Atma Jaya School of Medicine and Health Science, said that the research on older adults with an average age of 67 and consuming Tempeh has a better memory. 

"Our intestine and brain are connected with the nerve system, neuroendocrine system, and today we understand it also connected by microbiota," 

Doctor Yuda added that microbiota in the human digestion system has a close relationship with brain functions, which affecting behavior, stress, anxiety, and depression. 

"In the context of brain health, we must enhance the protective factor, such as in the nutrition aspect. Tempe is a stimulant for our brain health," said Doctor Yuda. 

In 2019 Atma Jaya Faculty of Biotechnology launched Tempeh Research and Development Center (P3T). P3T expected as the center for research in Tempeh and its forming bacteria, as well as the cultural preservation center for national‘s science and health development. Until today, only 10% of microorganism species determining the quality of Tempeh was able to be identified. (HCR)