“I’m trying to add more soy into my diet.” How many of you have heard your family or friends
Soy is one of the latest health food trends that anyone can get behind. Soy is often used as a protein replacement, and now it’s not just popular with vegetarians. Soy comes from soybeans, and is the nation’s leading source of food-grade oil. Many people attribute soy with being able to prevent cancers, most commonly breast and prostate cancers.
So, what’s the truth?
We hear so much about soy, but is it REALLY helping to prevent cancer?
While the jury is still out on whether or not introducing soy into your diet can prevent cancer the good news is that research is proving that it does help, especially for women.
The soybean plant is native to Southeast Asia, and is a member of the pea family. This legume is popular in many Asian inspired dishes and research is proving that it may be helping against breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer.
Here’s the breakdown of why soy is the new superfood.
Soy foods contain compounds called phytoestrogens, which are basically weak forms of estrogen. They subtly aid in preventing cancer, and they are a pretty significant addition to your diet. Phytoestrogens bind to the breasts and other tissues to provide a gentler substitute for estrogen that is produced via a woman’s ovaries. Many scientists believe that phytoestrogens help prevent cancer by reducing the need for such high exposure of estrogen in women, which is one of the main risk factors for breast cancer. A diet rich in soy has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer and any recurring cancer. The earlier a person starts introducing soy into their diet, the better. For men, phytoestrogens act as estrogens and subtly balance out testosterone level.
Basically for certain cancers that are hormone dependent ongoing research is being conducted however the studies show that as of now eating a diet rich in soy can help the body fight back against these cancers by balancing out hormones and introducing phytoestrogens to the body.
Soy protein is the perfect diet food because it is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is a food that doctors recommend eating because it reduces the risk of heart disease.
If you are looking to add soy to your diet, step away from the supplements and highly processed soy foods. Incorporating whole soy foods like edamame, tofu, tempeh or soy milk.
Our Verdict
We think that anyone looking to add a little soy into their diet would benefit from the nutritional value that is packed within these little legumes. For those that are seeking a food that can 100% prevent cancer, unfortunately there is nothing certain in life but “death and taxes.” Studies are still ongoing, and while they look promising, they haven’t elevated soy to a food that completely prevents cancer. The benefits are phenomenal, and for people looking for another healthy avenue when it comes to nutrition, soy is something we definitely stand behind.