Soy products provides many health benefits to the body, including improved blood pressure and better cholesterol levels. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends replacing foods with a high saturated fat content with soy protein products. Soy protein comes in many forms, including soy milk, tofu, and soy protein powders.
Soy Protein Defined
Soy protein is an extract pulled out of soybeans. Soybeans are an excellent source of many vitamins, minerals and nutrients including iron, potassium, fiber and folate. Soy protein is popular among vegetarians and vegans and those who wish to replace animal fats with something healthier. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans supports the claim that a well-rounded, healthy diet should include soy protein.
Health Benefits of Soy Protein
Soy protein provides numerous noted health benefits. These include lowered blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, reduced risk of kidney and heart disease and diabetes, improved bone health, reduced symptoms in menopausal women as well as less chronic inflammation. The active compounds found in soy protein also produce smaller fat cells. If you are looking for a healthy way to reduce your fat intake, substitute foods with a high concentration of saturated fats with soy protein. Other health benefits include protection against breast, prostate, endometrial and gastrointestinal cancers.
Foods that Contain Soy Protein
For a healthy heart, the FDA recommends 25 g of soy protein daily. Thanks to the gaining popularity and scientific endorsement of soy protein, it's simple to find foods that contain soy protein. Examples include soy milk, tofu, miso, tempeh, soy nuts, and soy bean oil as well as soy protein bars and soy-substituted products like soy yogurts, cheese, hamburgers and sausages. Other ways to include more soy protein in your diet include soy protein supplements, powders and shakes. Speak with your doctor to find out which supplements are right for you.
Healthiest Soy Protein Powders
In addition to all the heart and health benefits mentioned, soy protein provide the necessary protein boost needed to build up muscle. When considering to purchase soy protein powder, look for whether the protein listed in the ingredient list is an isolate or concentrate. Isolates mean it contains 90 percent of its protein content, is pure, and won't taste like beans when you mix it with food or a beverage. Concentrate contains less protein content, at least 25 percent less than soy protein isolate.
References
- Soy.com; Soy Products Become Bigger Part of Dietary Guidelines for Americans; February 1, 2011
- SoyConnection.com; Health and Nutrition; Soy's Role in Health and Nutrition
- Protein-Reviews.net; Benefits of Soy Protein Powder
- Foodconsumer.org; Eating Soy Protein Benefits the Heart; September 20, 2006; John Henkel
- BodyBuildingForYou.com; Soy Protein Isolate and Soy Protein Concentrate
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