Look before You Leap and Read before You Eat...Your Soy Chunks!

Soy or soya bean is a popular legume of Asian origin. People who follow the vegetarian diet religiously eat soybean because it incorporates various health benefits. Soy is rich in protein and gives us nutrition. Nowadays, people not only enjoy eating them in the form of beans but also drink them in milk alternatives, or as a supplement.

This blog is an attempt to explore the possible qualities and risks associated with soy intake.

As we all know that soy is highly rich in protein and can be used to prepare varieties of different meals. So, let's begin learning about the different colours of soybean that are available in the market.

- Black soybeans: The fermented black soybeans were traditionally served in Asian food culture.

- Yellow soybeans: It is typically used to strain soya milk, preparing tofu, tempeh, and tamari. It is also helpful in producing soya flour used for baking.

- Green soybeans: They are also known as edamame. It can be steamed or eaten out of the port as an appetizer. They are generally added on your favourite bowl of salads, soups, and stir-fried for enhancing its flavours.

If you are also a health freak and want to replace the dairy like cheese with some healthy option - then you can choose the products made from soybeans. Ranging from Soy oil to protein powder, soybean can be used for preparing different healthy meals.

Nutritional Beans

Soy is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. Usually vegans and vegetarians consume soya beans because these are low in saturated fat and high in vitamin C and folate. They also make an excellent source for fulfilling the requirement of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine in our body.

According to available researches, soy helps to produce a healthy cholesterol level, and lowers the risk of heart disease.

As per suggestions, soybean helps in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the arteries.

Apart from that, it also contains isoflavones that prevent the build-up of fat around the rodents' organs.

The beans are so versatile that these can also help to combat the risk of breast cancer.

It has been clinically proven that women who consume soy isoflavones have reduced risk of breast cancer both before and after menopause. Whether you believe it or not, soy isoflavones help to reduce the growth and spread of hormones associated with cancer.

Side Effects of Soy

After learning about the effective characteristics of soy, it is also important to learn about the health risks associated with the consumption of soybeans.

The reports and surveys have found that women high on soy intake have a higher chance of eliminated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). A high level of TSH in women's bodies may signify an underactive thyroid.

Studies have also shown that men who intake soy foods and protein powders more than up to 70 grams and 240 mg of soy isoflavones supplements, the overconsumption adversely affects their functioning of testosterone or total testosterone levels. It can also disrupt the health of the micro-biome, may impact digestion by influencing the structure and barrier function of the gut.

Bottom Lines

Today farmers are growing genetically engineered and organic soya beans that can help to complete the overall benefits. But, it is always advisable to consult a physician before consuming the soybeans in the high amount.

Soybeans are healthy but it is important to control the portion before serving it daily on your dinner plates.

Soybeans have positive effects on cholesterol levels, cancer risk, and menopause symptoms but it may also negatively impact certain aspects of health, including digestion and ovarian function.

So, eat moderately and listen to your bodily symptoms.