The Many Uses of Soy

The Many Uses of Soy

From its first known use in East Asia and China more than 5,000 years ago, the humble soy continues to be part of the daily diet of people around the world in its many forms. From human food to dog food, it provides nutrients that promote good health, prevent certain cancer types and heart diseases, and even lessen hot flashes in menopausal women.

However, like many other food, soy has its bad side that humans will do well to remember. After all, too much of a good thing is still toxic!

Soy Benefits

Soy is used in many products from the grocery shelves to cosmetic counters to household items cabinets. Truly, this is one versatile bean!

As a food product, it is the primary ingredient in soy foods like tofu, soy milk, soy cheese, miso, soy flour, soy nuts, soy sauce, butter, cooking oil, infant formula and even as ice cream and vodka. However, it must be noted that the health benefits of soy consumption can only come from those containing soy protein, or whole soy as it is also called. It also helps to look for the non-GMO label to avoid the health problems that can arise from this type of bioengineering.

The health benefits of soy stems from its rich macro-nutrient content, which is essential for good nutrition. These include all the essential amino acids, complex carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium and folate, as well as the phytochemicals called isoflavones.

Among the health benefits of soy are as follows:

• Cancer prevention especially breast and prostate cancer, which is generally thought to be due to the isoflavones present in soy

• Support for normal growth in children by virtue of its high nutritional content

• Diabetes control specifically the maintenance of normal glucose and insulin levels

• Promote healthy hearts through the reduction of cholesterol and fat levels

• Reduction of hot flashes in menopausal women and the lessening of the effects of ageing on the joints and of the heart upon the onset of menopause

• Promote weight loss through less body fat gain

• Osteoarthritis prevention

You need two to four servings per day of whole soy to get optimum benefits from the bean, which basically means either a cup of soymilk or a quarter cup of soy nuts or half cup of tofu on a daily basis.

Soy Banes

Like most foods in your diet, over consumption of soy can lead to health problems. For example, it can worsen thyroid problems and induce allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

For menopausal women who take soy isoflavone genistein to relive hot flashes can experience gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and abdominal pain. Furthermore, soy can interfere with mineral absorption.

Thus, when using soy, it is always best to do your research and consult with your doctor. This way, you acquire the health benefits and avoid the side effects brought by soy consumption.

Indeed, the many uses of soy beans have made it one of the cash crops of many countries and the essential bean of many diets. However, care must still be exercised as more scientific researches are done on its benefits and banes. Until then, eat your tofu and drink your soy milk.

Tags:diabetes control,heart diseases,insulin levels,soy,soy flour,soy protein

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