Soy is a plant food that comes from an Asian annual legume. It contains more protein and oils than any other vegetable. Soy is also a rich source of amino acids. Soy is the only vegetable that contains all nine of the essential amino acids for human health. Scientists are also interested in soy for numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, soy does have some potential health consequences.
Breast Cancer
Soy is the most commonly consumed source of isoflavones, a group of phytoestrogens. These plant molecules are similar to the female sex hormone estrogen in structure. Soy isoflavones can exert estrogen-like effects when they bind to estrogen receptors in the bones and cardiovascular system, increasing the negative effects of estrogen, the Sprecher Institute at the Cornell University notes. It is generally agreed upon that the steroidal estrogen feeds breast tumors.
Soy Allergy
Soy allergy is a type of food allergy. It is more common among infants and young children that adults. Soy allergy is essentially a genetic sensitivity to soy protein. The body's immune system mistakenly recognizes soy protein as unsafe and releases chemicals. With a soy allergy, you may experience skin reactions, itching, swelling, gastric problems, difficulty in swallowing, breathing difficulty, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and low pulse.
Thyroid Disease
Soy has goitrogenic activity, which means soy can suppress your thyroid gland function. Soy isoflavones block the thyroid peroxidase activity. The enzyme thyroid peroxidase is required for producing thyroid stimulating hormones. Low thyroid hormone levels can cause lethargy, sleepiness, malaise, indigestion, constipation and goiter.
Gout
Gout is caused by high uric acid levels in your body. Uric acid is produced from the breakdown of purines, a crystalline base that is a constituent of DNA and RNA. When your body fails to eliminate enough uric acid in the urine, uric acid crystals deposit in the joint spaces. In time, the tinny, jagged crystals of uric acid injure the joint lining and cause intense pain, inflammation and swelling. Soy is a high-purine food. People with gout should limit their soy intake.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Soy; Dec. 14, 2009
- Cornell University: Sprecher Institute; Phytoestrogens and Breast Cancer; Barbour S. Warren, et al.; Jul. 1, 2002
- University of California; eScholarship: Soy and the Thyroid: Can This Miracle Food Be Unsafe?; Monica Ralli; 2003
- "Food Allergies: Let Us Know, We Care"; Alfonso Tirado; 2005
- "The Anti-Estrogenic Diet: How Estrogenic Foods and Chemicals Are Making You Fat and Sick"; Ori Hofmekler and Rick Osborn; 2007
- University of Mississippi; Food Intolerance and Allergies; 2003
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