Chances are that you have heard confusing reports about the benefits or risks of consuming soy products. Isn't it time you learned the truth?
The Basics of Soy Commonly substituted for whole milk in a latte or used as a replacement for meat within a burger, soy has become an integral part of consumers" diets across America for various reasons. Soy's roots are native to southeastern Asia, making it a staple throughout Asian countries long before it became popular in the United States.
Known for being a source of fiber and protein, the product has been recommended as a meat alternative and has also been loosely linked to Asia's low rate in heart disease, amongst many other benefits. Along with this, soy is a strong source for isoflavones, an organic compound found within soy, which some have argued can potentially reduce menopausal symptoms.
Fact Versus Fiction A recent study at the University of California, Davis, has shown that soy does not reduce menopausal symptoms. More than 1,600 women from various racial and ethnic backgrounds participated in the study during a 10-year period in order to shed light on the matter. The consensus was that the scientists at University of California Davis did not find soy to minimize or eliminate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats.
The initial understanding came from the fact that women of Asian ancestry do not experience symptoms to the same degree or severity when going through menopause, which was linked to soy intake. However, the correlation of the plant-based estrogen in soy has not held up, making this previous fact fictional about the subtropical plant.
The isoflavones found within soy and other plant foods, like green tea and peanuts, have seen successful cases of lowered blood pressure, which has become another topic of debate.
A Balanced Diet A single product, such as soy, cannot be relied upon to find cures to health issues like high blood pressure and menopause. Although soy's various forms contain the beneficial plant hormone of isoflavones, moderation of soy comes into play since healthy living includes a well-rounded diet and exercise.
Registered dietician Julie DuBois said that, "a lot of times initial investigational research will come out and people will just jump on it. I think we're a society where we're looking for a quick fix for whatever it is so that's where moderation comes into effect."
Soy can have positive health benefits to some, but it is also a common allergy amongst children and some suffer from soy intolerance, similar to lactose intolerance. DuBois also warns that, "soy can affect your thyroid function negatively for people who already do have a low thyroid function or if a person is on a thyroid medication they are going to need to time it about three to four hours after they take their thyroid medication."
Ultimately, the truths of soy are continuing to be discovered, disproven and debated upon due to the great potential that comes in the form of a seemingly simple bean.
