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

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Conclusion:

Fact: All plant proteins, including soy beans, are positively beneficial but whether they act as wonder foods for some health conditions in averting or curing a disease/disorder is what needs to be seen. The information released by authorized scientific bodies and endorsed by FDA should be our best guide.

Recent clinical studies suggest that -

Daily intake of soy protein may slightly lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Soy isoflavone supplements may reduce hot flashes in post menopausal women, but results have been inconsistent.
Insufficient scientific evidence to determine whether soy supplements are effective for any other health uses.

Additionally, the safety of long-term use of soy isoflavones has not been proven. Soy's possible role in affecting breast cancer risk is uncertain. Until more is known about soy's effect on estrogen levels, women who currently have breast cancer or who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian or uterine cancer should be particularly careful about using soy.

By Sangeetha Swamy, MSc Nutrition & Dietetics
Dietitian, NutritionVista.com

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

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