Soybeans - An essential protein - Are Soy Benefits and Nutritional Claims Hype or Facts?

Rate it!

Currently 4.4 /5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

Are Soy Benefits and Nutritional Claims Hype or Facts?
It is a fact that the protein derived from 'Soybeans' is often used to replace animal proteins in an individual’s diet. Soybeans belonging to the family of legumes are both cholesterol free and low in saturated fat. Not only do they have all the essential amino acids, they are also a terrific source of fiber, calcium, B vitamins, zinc and iron.

People use soy products to prevent or treat a variety of health conditions, including high cholesterol levels, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, memory problems, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Of late research is indicating that soy protein may help in reducing serum concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) & trigylcerides. The FDA has recently allowed limited health claims to be made in favor of soy protein as an alternate protein that can provide certain nutritional benefits.

But are all claims being made accurate?

NutritionVista

User Comments

12 October, 2010 | Sampada | Reply

This article is great, gives complete details of soy and its benefits, also pointing at its limitations.

Thanks for the post.

14 September, 2010 | Estefania | Reply

I am sure with over 2 decades of research the FDA or other food researcher organisations would be clear on whether Soy is good or not,What kind of benefits can be expected,How much of soy to be consumed per day and how it should be eaten.Dont tell me they are still groping in the dark?

14 September, 2010 | Kim | Reply

Dear Geetanjali how does fresh soybeans or edamame compare to dried soy beans We definitely do not process it like any of the products you have mentioned? Is it safe to eat edamame? Do you recommend any particular method of cooking?

18 June, 2010 | Sangeetha Narayana Swamy | Reply

Dear Dr.Kalahasti,

According to the FDA, to qualify for the soy protein health claim, foods must contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving and comply to other criteria, such as low content of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

Foods must contain per serving:

* 6.25 g soy protein
* less than 3 g fat
* less than 1 g saturated fat
* less than 20 mg cholesterol
* less than 480 mg sodium for individual foods, less than 720 mg sodium
for main dish, and less than 960 mg sodium for complete meal.

Four servings of such foods can be included in a day's diet, from which the total soy protein would be 25 grams. This amount is needed to show considerable health value.

Thank you for your query.

Regards,
Sangeetha Narayana Swamy,
Senior Dietitian,
NutritionVista.com

18 June, 2010 | Geetanjali | Reply

Soy and soy as protein isolates are widely consumed for health benefits. Soy contains many anti-nutritional components- saponins, trypsin, protease inhibitors. However processing of soy to soy nuggets, soymilk, tempeh, or tofu inhibits the anti-nutritional components and enhance the health benefits of soy.

Geetanjali Kelkar
Dietitian
NutritionVista

09 July, 2010 | Samanhita | Reply

Is Soy the only lentil that contains so many anti- nutritional components?

18 June, 2010 | Dr Kalahasti | Reply

Dear Sangeetha, your article does not tell us what is the health claim FDA has permitted. Can you please apprise us on what they have said?
Thank you
Regards

Post Comments

Contact Name:

E-mail:

(Will show your Gravatar icon)

Comments:

Notify me when new comments are added

User Rules

Dear User,

This is to inform you that this part of the site is moderated, and your comments will be published after the approval of the moderators. Your text comments can be modified or deleted at any time. All comments that are posted are moderated by paid employees to ensure appropriate behavior and monitor and prevent abuse and disrespect of users and readers. The moderators also ensure that all questions asked are forwarded to and responded by employees in a timely manner and by the appropriate and qualified employees. The moderators are the dietitians listed under "The NV Dietetic Team"

All users are by default considered as non medical professionals, unless explicitly stated. If you are a health professional giving medical information as a platform user, please list your status as a medical professional so as to be clearly identified.

Please note - We recommend you not include any personal data and will remove all advertising for a site or product.

All platform users and moderators must behave at all times with respect and honesty. If comments are inappropriate moderators may intervene and if a platform users is banned they will be warned or notified before being banned.

Please note regarding response time - The moderator’s is notified automatically with details the instant a comment is posted.

'The information provided on the NutritionVista.com website is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician.' The minimum age for the use or participation in these platforms is 18 years of age and is strictly adhered to. By posting a comment all users of this platform undertake to disseminate only information that is true and correct in light of their knowledge.

Tags: Anemia, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Diabetes Prevention, Diet, Eat Healthy, General health, Healthy Foods, Men's Health, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Women's Health

© 2007 - 2024 NutritionVista.com. All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. All articles and content written by the Nutritionvista.com team for NutritionVista.com are the sole property of J.L.S Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Content may not be copied without express permission to do so. If you want to link back to an article, please ensure a working link to the article title is used and is functioning at all times.