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The Benefits Of Soy
There are many benefits of soy, and soy products are becoming more and more popular.
All soy products are derived from soybeans, which are a type of legume. Legumes are plants that have pods
with edible seeds that grow inside. Other types of legumes include beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts.
Soybeans were first cultivated in northeastern China more than 3,000 years ago. They then spread to other
parts of China and Korea, and later to Japan and Southeast Asia. Soybeans were introduced to Europe in the 1600s
and to the United States in the 1700s, but they didn't become an important crop outside of Asia until the 1900s.
Soybeans contain compounds called isoflavones. Isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen, which is a compound
found in plants that has a chemical structure similar to human estrogen. Isoflavones are powerful antioxidants,
and many of the benefits of soy can be attributed to isoflavones. Soybeans are the only food source that contain
a significant amount of isoflavones.
If you're a guy, don't be worried that because isoflavones have a chemical structure similar to estrogen
they might decrease your testosterone levels. Numerous studies have shown that men taking soy protein had similar
increases in muscle mass as those taking whey protein (which is derived from milk). These increases in muscle mass
would not have been possible if isoflavones decreased testosterone levels.
One thing you need to be aware of when it comes to soy is that some soy products are genetically modified.
If you have any concerns regarding genetically modified foods, purchase non-GMO soy products. Non-GMO means no
genetically modified organisms.
Top 7 Benefits Of Soy
1. Contains essential amino acids. Other than quinoa, soy is the only
plant-based food that contains all nine essential amino acids. There are 20 amino acids the body needs to
form protein, but it can only manufacture 11 of these. The other nine, which are called essential amino acids,
must come from food.
2. Is nutrient rich. Soy is rich in iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin B, potassium, folate, and omega-3
fatty acids. Soy is also high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and cholesterol free.
3. Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. Although the effect is modest, soy lowers LDL cholesterol. There
is also evidence that soy produces modest increases in HDL (good) cholesterol and modest decreases in triglycerides.
4. May help prevent breast cancer. Some researchers believe that soy decreases the risk of breast
cancer. The theory is that soy isoflavones bind with estrogen receptors in your body, which reduces your exposure to
the more powerful effects of your own estrogen. Soy appears to offer the greatest protection to women who eat it
regularly before puberty.
5. May help prevent prostate cancer. Studies on mice indicate that soy protein and soy isoflavones
suppress development of lab induced prostate cancer. Other studies show that soy protein and soy isoflavones may
inhibit the growth of existing tumors. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that men who eat soyfoods daily are less likely
to develop prostate cancer than those who don’t.
6. May help prevent osteoporosis. Studies have shown that soy isoflavones help cut down on bone
resorption, keep calcium from leaching from bones, and increase bone density and bone mineral content.
7. May help prevent or alleviate menopausal symptoms. A number of recent studies have found that
soy can help reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms.
The benefits of soy are powerful, but there is still a lot of discussion about the safety of soy. Much
of this discussion occurs on the internet, often offering links to results of scientific studies. Given the volume
of research that has been conducted on soy, it's not surprising that some studies show adverse effects. However,
focusing on only these few studies gives a skewed perception of the safety of soy. It's important to keep in mind
that the preponderance of the data show soy to be safe.
Recommended Resource
Vitabase
is a company that carries a variety of soy products - everything from soy isoflavone tablets to soy protein powders.
Vitabase sells high quality products at very attractive prices.
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