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A main food in Asia, tofu is an often overlooked protein source in the United States. But as it jumps onto menus, even in fast-casual chains like Chipotle, people are increasingly welcoming it as a healthy meat replacement. And the proposed health benefits of tofu — from cancer prevention to lowering the risk of heart disease — have given it a reputation as one of the best foods you can eat.

What is tofu, exactly, and what is it made of? Tofu is processed soybean curd. It’s a popular plant-based protein option that’s eaten around the world, particularly in East Asia.

Is tofu good for you or bad for you? There’s no reason to fear this mineral-rich vegetarian protein source — tofu is good for you. Given that tofu is made from soybeans, it’s a rich source of powerful anticancer plant compounds, heart-protecting saponins, as well as minerals like calcium. It’s also a good source of iron, which is particularly important for people following a vegetarian diet or vegan diet, or pregnant women who may be running low in this nutrient.

What’s more, people who consume the greatest amounts of isoflavones have a lower blood pressure on average, compared with those who eat the least, especially among African-Americans, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension. Isoflavones may stimulate nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow in arteries, the researchers suggest. Finally, soy foods, particularly tofu, are the main food of the diet of Okinawans, some of the longest-living people on earth. It’s thought that replacing meat with tofu may reduce blood cholesterol, decreasing the risk of heart disease.

1.What is Chipotle?

A A dish made with tofu.

B A chain restaurant.

C A special menu.

D A kind of protein.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据前面的menus和后面的people are increasingly welcoming it as a healthy meat replacement可知豆腐出现在Chipotle的菜单上，且被当作一种菜，因此Chipotle是一个连锁餐厅，故选B。

2.Where is tofu most popular?

A In America.

B In China.

C In East Asia.

D In Europe.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段It’s a popular plant-based protein option that’s eaten around the world, particularly in East Asia.可知世界各地都有食用豆腐的习惯，但是最受欢迎还是在东亚地区，故选C。

3.What can we learn from the third paragraph?

A Protein can only been found in meat.

B Meat is rich in iron while vegetables aren’t.

C Pregnant women should eat tofu every day.

D You can find all kinds of minerals in tofu.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据第三段最后一句It’s also a good source of iron, which is particularly important for people following a vegetarian diet or vegan diet, or pregnant women who may be running low in this nutrient.可知豆腐饱含铁类，对于素食主义的人很重要，因此可推知肉类中富含铁类但是蔬菜类缺少铁类，故选B。

4.What material in tofu will help improve blood flow in arteries?

A Cholesterol.

B Calcium.

C Nitric oxide.

D Isoflavones.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第四段第二句Isoflavones may stimulate nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow in arteries, the researchers suggest.可知是豆腐中的Isoflavones刺激一氧化氮，从而有益于改善动脉血管中的血流，故选D。

5.What is the main idea of this passage?

A Tofu became popular in America.

B Tofu is rich in all kinds of nutrients.

C Tofu brings you many benefits.

D What is tofu made of?

解析：选C。主旨大意题。根据第一段的主要内容豆腐可以预防癌症和心脏病，第三、四段介绍了豆腐含有的哪些物质，可以给身体带来哪些好处可知C选项豆腐给身体带来很多好处是本文的主旨，故选C。