Soy protein isolate is a food ingredient of nearly 95 percent protein that has been isolated from other parts of the soybean and is then made into a dry powder. Food manufacturers use soy protein isolate in soymilk, fitness and athletic performance products, breakfast cereals, fruit drinks and breads and baked goods. Eating foods that contain soy protein isolate can have both health benefits and risks. Consult your nutritionist about eating foods with soy protein isolate.
Pro: Amino Acids
Soy protein isolate contains all nine essential amino acids that your body needs to make proteins. In fact, soy protein isolate is comparable in quality to protein from animal products. Also, it has no cholesterol and negligible amounts of saturated fat. Research by scientists at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, and published in the "American Family Physician" in 2009 report that a diet high in soy protein and low in animal protein may reduce your risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Pro: Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Eating soy protein isolate may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly if you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Research by scientists at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2009 found that consuming soy protein isolate can improve levels of blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Con: Soy Allergy
Many people, particularly children and adults who were fed soy-based formulas as infants, are allergic to soy protein. The symptoms of eating foods with soy protein isolate are often mild and include hives, itching skin, abdominal pain and discomfort, wheezing, dizziness and swelling. However, you can experience a rare, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis that is characterized by difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure and loss of consciousness. If you are allergic to soy protein, you may need to avoid eating foods that contain soy protein isolate to prevent symptoms.
Con: Less Benefit Than Whole Soy
Soy protein isolate is used to make meat and cheese substitutes. It also contains small amounts of isoflavones, a type of estrogen. However, eating soy protein isolates does not provide the same benefits as eating foods made from whole soybeans, such as tofu or tempeh. This is because the many bioactive compounds in soybeans work synergistically to enhance the health benefits versus eating them each alone. Isoflavones, which are in much higher concentrations in whole soy foods than soy protein isolate, can have a protective effect on cancer when consumed in moderate amounts as part of whole soy products, but they may increase the risk of cancer when added as a supplement to soy protein isolate.
References
- Soy Foods Association of North America; Soy Protein Isolate; 2011
- "American Family Physician"; Soy: A Complete Source of Protein; Aaron Michelfelder; Jan 1 2009
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2010
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Soy Protein Reduces Serum LDL Cholesterol and the LDL Cholesterol:HDL Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B:Apolipoprotein A-I Ratios in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes; Elizabeth Pipe, et al.; Sep 2009
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