Soybeans are among the most abundant crops in the United States, and edamame -- soybeans harvested at an early, green stage of development -- is becoming a part of many Americans' diets. Like other beans, edamame comes packed with essential nutrients, and their mellow, nutty flavor works well in a range of dishes. Add edamame to your diet to boost your intake of several nutrients, from carbohydrates to copper.

Each cup of edamame beans contains 189 calories, which come from a combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The 8 grams of fat in a serving of edamame provide energy, while its 17 grams of protein help you maintain your immune system and support lean muscle tissue. Each serving of edamame also contains 15 grams of carbohydrates. Slightly less than half of these carbs provide fuel for your tissues, while the remaining 8.1 grams come from dietary fiber, a carbohydrate that fights constipation and supports digestive health. The fiber in one serving of edamame makes up 32 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and 21 percent for men.

Edamame provides considerable amounts of several minerals -- including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium -- but serves as an especially rich source of manganese and copper. The copper in edamame allows your cells to make usable energy, boosts your immune system and strengthens your bones. Manganese helps you metabolize fats and carbohydrates, controls your blood sugar levels and contributes to the health of your nervous system. Each cup of edamame provides an impressive 1.6 milligrams of manganese -- 89 percent and 70 percent of the recommended daily manganese intakes for women and men, respectively -- along with 535 micrograms of copper, which is 59 percent of the recommended daily intake.

Edamame beans also contain essential vitamins, particularly folate and vitamin C. Both of these vitamins support your cellular metabolism -- vitamin C helps your body process cholesterol, while folate helps you metabolize the chemicals that make up proteins and DNA. They also both fight chronic disease and play a role in combating cardiovascular disease. A cup of edamame provides 482 micrograms of folate -- all the folate you need in a day -- as well as 9.5 milligrams of vitamin C, which is 11 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C intake for men and 13 percent for women.

Edamame's mild flavor works well in a variety of dishes. Add a handful of edamame beans to your favorite turkey or vegetable chili, or use them to add more body to soups or salads. Alternatively, use edamame's creamy texture to your advantage -- mash it and then combine it with salsa, garlic and lime juice for "edamole," a lower-fat version of guacamole. You can use your edamole as a dip or as a spread in sandwiches or wraps.