There is some support for the idea that soy products can help prevent cancer, cure heart disease, improve memory and/or help reduce the symptoms of menopause, but the possibilities of soy are still unknown. However, it is highly unlikely that eating soy products will have all these benefits. Despite not being a cure all food, soy products still have many healthy components.
Basics
Soy products are made from soy beans. Soy beans are often processed to make a number of different foods including fake meats, tofu and soy ice cream, but soy beans can also be consumed in their raw form. Due to their nutritional composition, soy products are often used as a part of a healthy diet.
Considerations
Soy products are often use as a substitute for animal-based proteins or dairy products. Eating soy products as a replacement for some animal-based products will reduce your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat.
The animal products that soy products are often used to replace contain high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat, while soy products generally contain little to no cholesterol and lower amounts of saturated fat. Reducing your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat can lower your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, making soy products a heart healthy option.
Significance
Soy products can be used as a healthy alternative to meat-based proteins because of the amino acids they contain. Generally, only animal-based proteins contain all the essential amino acids your body needs to continue rebuilding cells through your body and plant-based proteins each contain different amounts of essential amino acids. Therefore, you typically have to eat a variety of plant proteins to get all your amino acids, but soy products are the exception. Soy products that contain whole soy will provide you with all the essential amino acids, similar to animal-based proteins, notes Teens Health.
Nutritional Contents
In addition, to being a complete protein source products made with soy have other nutritional benefits. According to Teens Health, soy products will provide you with healthy amounts of fiber, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. The fiber and omega-3 fatty acids will help maintain your heart healthy.
Also, many soy products such as tofu and soy milk are enriched with calcium and vitamin D making them beneficial to your bone health.
"Vegetarian Times" points out that tofu, a soy product, will provide you with a significant amount of zinc and iron.
Tips
While soy protein is considered to be a healthy protein it should be consumed in moderation, similar to all other protein sources. The Harvard School of Public Health, or HSPH, recommends that people keep their consumption of products with significant amounts of soy to two to four servings a week. Eat a variety of sources of protein, such as fish, nuts and beans. Eat soy more often in its natural form, such as edamame or tofu, rather than only consuming soy meat products. Soy meat products generally contain high amounts of sodium, which is used as a preservative and it is important to avoid eating too much sodium.
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