Soy+Foods+and+Health

For this Chapter 7 discussion area, you are to research the reported benefits of soyfood consumption. Why is soy healthy? What are the benefits? What are good sources of soy? What types of soyfoods have you tried, and do you like them?

More and more people are adding soy products to their meals. Studies have shown that soy may offer health benefits, including lowering blood cholesterol and reducing the risk of certain cancers. Soy products are beneficial for their nutritional content and because people usually use soy foods as a replacement for unhealthy foods. Soy foods are a great source of protein and contain other important nutrients, such as fiber, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Foods containing soy protein are also a healthy alternative to meats and other animal products that contain saturated fat and cholesterol.

A recent study that I found interesting was that American soy eaters who make soybeans and tofu a regular part of their diet had significantly lower rates of colon cancer than those who didn't eat soy.

Some good sources of soy are: soy nuts, soy flour, soynut butter, energy bars, tofu, soy yogurt, tempeh and soy milk.

The types of soyfood that I have tried are soy milk and tofu. I really soy milk and buy it on a regular basis. I like that it comes in different flavors and tastes almost exactly like regular milk. It is more expensive, but I know that it is healthy for me and I like the way it tastes. I also have had tofu a number of times because I have many friends who are vegetarians and had me try the tofu products they eat. From what I tried, I liked tofu. I don't know if I could replace all of the meat I ate with tofu, but I woulnd't mind eating tofu once in a while.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/soy.html http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/soy.html?pageNum=5

-Erin Gallagher

(HealthCastle.com) What has most interested scientists in recent years is the discovery of phytochemicals and the profound benefits of soy on human health. Benefits of soy include promoting heart health and healthy bones, preventing cancer and alleviating menopausal symptoms. Soy beans contain high amounts of protein, including all essential amino acids (the only such vegetable source). Soy beans are also a rich source of calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B-vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber.

Some soy foods are; Calcium-fortified soy milk, Tofu, Soy nuts, Edamame, Tempeh, Miso, Other products such as soy patties, soy cheese, soy yogurt and breakfast cereal. [] is another great website that is dedicated to soy information.

To tell you the truth, I really haven't had much food that involves soy in it. When I look at the foods that are made up of soy, I haven't had any of them so I couldn't tell you if I like them or not.

[]

Cody Cox __

**What are the benefits of soy?**
 * ** Antioxidant ** : Soy food contains antioxidants - compounds which protect cells from damage caused by unstable oxygen molecules called "free radicals." Free radicals are believed to be responsible for initiating many forms of cancer as well as premature aging.
 * ** Breast Cancer: ** A major study in Singapore revealed that women who eat soy foods are at lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who don't. Asian women, who typically eat a soy-based diet, have much lower levels of breast cancer than Western women. Test tube studies and those involving laboratory animals have shown that "compounds in soy can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells." The latest studies presented at a Medical Conference in Brussels in September 1996 indicate that the isoflavones in soy may be the reason for these lower cancer rates.
 * ** Cholesterol ** : Scores of studies from around the world attest to soy's cholesterol-lowering properties, especially for people with high cholesterol. Soy strongly inhibits LDL oxidation and neutralizes free radicals in blood platelets.
 * ** Colon **** Cancer: ** A recent US study showed that American soy eaters who make soybeans and tofu a regular part of their diet had significantly lower rates of colon cancer than those who didn't eat soy.
 * ** Osteoporosis ** : Hip fractures owing to osteoporosis are a major problem among elderly women in the United States. Japanese women have half the rate of hip fractures as US women. Preliminary studies suggest that soy may help retain bone mass. Also, it appears that soy protein doesn't increase the excretion of calcium in the urine as is the case with high protein diets.
 * ** Hot Flashes: ** Half of all menopausal women in the United States complain of hot flashes, a problem that is so rare in Japan that there's not even a word for it. Some researchers believe that special compounds in soy called phytoestrogens may help Japanese women stay cooler.
 * ** Immunity: ** Studies show that soybean peptides can boost the immune system, helping the body fight disease.
 * ** Kidney Disease: ** Soy protein is easier on the kidneys, the main filtering organ of the body, than is animal protein and may slow down or prevent kidney damage in people with impaired kidney function.
 * ** Lung Cancer: ** Several studies have linked soy consumption to lower rates of lung cancer.
 * ** Prostate Cancer ** : A major study of Japanese men in Hawaii found a direct correlation between consumption of tofu and lower rates of prostate cancer. Studies of soy compounds have shown that they can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Contrary to some beliefs, the phytoestrogens in soy are not detrimental to anabolic hormones or muscle
 * Many soy foods contain fiber, which is known to promote good digestion. A Japanese study found that a diet that includes high intakes of rice, miso soup, and soy products and low intakes of bread and confectionaries, was the only dietary pattern associated with a significantly lower prevalence of functional constipation.
 * Many soy foods contain fiber, which is known to promote good digestion. A Japanese study found that a diet that includes high intakes of rice, miso soup, and soy products and low intakes of bread and confectionaries, was the only dietary pattern associated with a significantly lower prevalence of functional constipation.

**Good Sources of Soy** **What types of soy foods have you tried, and do you like them?** **Why is soy healthy?** · Soy is a great form of low-fat protein, especially for people seeking to cut down on the saturated fat from meat. However, until scientists determine whether large quantities of soy are helpful or harmful to people at risk for breast cancer, moderation is best. As an alternative to fattier animal proteins, it still deserves health-food status. [] [] []
 * In its 2006//Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations//, the American Heart Association (AHA) recognized the potential benefits of soy protein replacing meat and dairy protein in lowering LDL cholesterol, especially in people with high cholesterol who are at high risk for coronary vascular disease (CVD). AHA also emphasized eating foods high in fiber and using vegetable-based substitutes, leaner animal products and fish in order to reduce saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol in the diet and reduce the risk of heart disease. Soyfoods fit the profile of foods recommended by the AHA, providing fiber, high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals with low saturated fat and no cholesterol
 * Soy foods include soybeans, tofu, soymilk, tempeh and the isolated soy protein that is added to other foods or used in the preparation of baked goods. Good sources of soy protein include soy nuts, soy flour, energy bars, tofu, tempeh and soy milk.
 * I have tried soymilk. I like it sometimes I have to been in a mood to drink soymilk. I don’t like all soy products such as tofu and soy shredded cheese.

[|LaKeesha James]

Soy researcher Mark Messina notes that around 30% of women between the ages of 20 and 69, and 40% of women over the age of 70 are getting less than the recommended dietary allowance for protein. Soy foods provide high-quality protein and are low in saturated fat. He also notes that back in the early 1900’s, our diets consisted of somewhere around 70% plant protein and 30% animal protein. Today, it’s more like 50:50. Since soybeans are 38% protein, which is very high for a bean, they make a great choice for women who want to increase the quality protein in their diet — specifically plant proteins. Soy has been the protein of choice for many vegetarians and nutritionists for many years. Cookbooks from the Moosewood Restaurant, among other vegetarian cookbooks, abound with soy recipes, and many people of all ethnicities enjoy soy as a regular part of their diet with seemingly little to no ill effect. From the China Study to the Okinawa Plan, more and more people are waking up to the power of the plant-based Asian diet in improving health and longevity. http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/healthbenefitsofsoy.aspx
 * What are the benefits of soy?**

The cholesterol lowering effect of [|soy milk] and its role of heart disease was widely recognized in the mid 90s when the results of a meta-analysis of 38 clinical studies were published. The results demonstrated that a diet with significant soy protein reduces Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "Bad" cholesterol) and Triglycerides. The average consumption in these studies was 47 grams per day of soy protein, which is a considerable amount. One way to include this is to try a soy protein beverage or powder that may add 20 grams preserving. Soy protein was effective even in people who were already following the American Heart Association's 30 percent-fat diet. Soy protein appears to lower triglyceride levels while preserving HDL cholesterol. Researchers Erdman & Potter in 1993 reported in the //American Journal of Clinical Nutrition// a 12 percent drop in cholesterol when 20 to 25 grams of soy protein and fiber were included in the diet. Soy beans contain [|soluble fiber], which is known to interfere with the absorption and metabolism of cholesterol. As a result of these findings, in 1999, FDA authorized a health claim about the relationship between soy protein and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) on labelling of foods containing soy protein. A heart health claim can be found on qualified soy products.

Benefits of Soy: Healthy Bones
Many soy foods are naturally high in calcium (some fortified with calcium because it is a good source of a particular coagulating agent). In addition, soy also contains magnesium and boron, which are important co-factors of calcium for bone health. Isoflavones in soy foods may inhibit the breakdown of bones. Daidzein, a type of isoflavone, is actually very similar to the drug ipriflavone, which is used throughout Europe and Asia to treat osteoporosis. One compelling study completed by Erdman in 1993 focused on post-menopausal women who consumed 40 grams of isolated soy protein daily for 6 months. Researchers found that these subjects significantly increased bone mineral density as compared to the controls. Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in September 2005 also found that intake of soy food was associated with a significantly lower risk of fracture, particularly among early post-menopausal women.

Benefits of Soy: Menopause
In Japan, where soy foods are commonly consumed daily, women are only one-third as likely to report menopausal symptoms as in the United States or Canada. In fact, there is no word in the Japanese language for "hot flashes". Current studies showed that soy only helps some women alleviate menopausal symptoms. Indeed, soy is more effective in preventing than alleviating hot flashes. Despite these findings, the North American Menopause Society in 2000 recommended that 40 - 80mg of isoflavones daily may help relieve menopausal symptoms.

Benefits of Soy: Cancer
Among all cancers, data on [|soy and prostate cancer] seems to be the most promising; many studies support its role in the prevention and possible treatment of prostate cancer. While some studies showed soy offers a protective effect against breast cancer, a few studies showed the estrogen-like effects in isoflavones may be harmful for women with breast cancer. American Institute for Cancer Research stresses that data on soy and breast cancer are not conclusive, and more work is needed to be done before any dietary recommendations can be made. What we know at this point is the phytoestrogens in soy foods are "anti-estrogens". In other words, they may block estrogen from reaching the receptors - therefore potentially protecting women from developing breast cancer. Studies found that pre-menopausal women may benefit from eating soy foods as their natural estrogen levels are high. However, this may not be true to post-menopausal women. Studies found that soy could become "pro-estrogen" in women with low levels of natural estrogen. In other words, concentrated soy supplements may add estrogen to the body and hence increase breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. Therefore, post-menopausal women should avoid taking concentrated soy supplements until more is known. Eating soy products, however, is not harmful. http://www.healthcastle.com/herb_soy.shtml

http://www.soybean.org/sfg.pdf - this link has all the nutritional value of some soy products on the market.

I have tried tofu, and soy milk. I actually LOVE both of these things so I would be completely open to try a lot more soy products. I eat tofu all the time. I love it plain, grilled, and baked!!

I actually kept the link from above for soy recipes and products that I have never tried before.


 * Stefanie Smith**