Soy protein is rich in high quality protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, it contains isoflavones, estrogen-like compounds that are responsible for numerous health benefits. Research indicates that adding soy products to your daily diet may be effective for reducing hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Soy Milk
Researchers from the School of Medicine of Zaragoza in Spain investigated the impact of soy milk on men and women with mild to moderate hypertension. Participants were assigned to receive 500 ml of soy milk or cow's milk twice daily for three months. Scientists reported in the July 2002 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" that the soy milk group experienced decreases in blood pressure when compared to the cow milk group.
Soy Nuts
Scientists from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston examined the effects of soy nuts on blood pressure in hypertensive, prehypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. For eight weeks, participants adhered to a Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet with or without soy nuts. At the end of the study, which was published in the May 2007 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine," researchers discovered that the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes plus soy nuts group experienced greater reductions in blood pressure compared to those following the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet alone.
Soy Isoflavones
In research reported in the February 2011 issue of the journal ""Nutrition, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Disease," researchers from Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences reviewed clinical studies regarding the effects of soy isoflavones on blood pressure. They concluded that soy isoflavones are effective for lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
Side Effects
Soy is generally considered safe, but a few side effects have been reported, including diarrhea and stomach upset. Individuals who are allergic to soy should avoid its use, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
References
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Soy Milk Lowers Blood Pressure in Men and Women with Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension; M. Rivas et al. July 2002
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Effect of Soy Nuts on Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels in Hypertensive, Prehypertensive, and Normotensive Postmenopausal Women; F. Welty et al.; May 2007
- "Nutrition, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Disease"; Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Blood Pressure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials; X.X. Liu et al.; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy
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