Edamame come with a few additional bonuses: they are surprisingly high in copper, which can help your immune system. They also contain good fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve brain health and lower the risk of heart disease.

They even have particular plant compounds called isoflavones which, along with the high magnesium and calcium may alleviate premenstrual syndrome and migraines.

A half a cup of edamame gives you nine grams of fibre, about the same as four slices of wholemeal bread or four cups of steamed zucchini.

A note of caution though: you should not eat edamame raw, and because they are a bean, if you eat too many they can cause bloating or gas. Keep in mind also they are a soybean, so if you have a soy allergy you should stay away.

How to eat edamame

You can cook edamame in their shell by boiling, microwaving or steaming. Then just squeeze each bean out, as though you are shelling peas, and eat as a snack.

You can also add them to a whole range of other meals for a nutritional boost: pop some in your next casserole, soup, salad or salsa.