Top 5 Reasons Soy Diet Is Important

Only a few food types can stir up solid opinions, like the modest soybean. Not only humans but pets have a specific take on whether you should include soy-based foods in a healthy diet plan, even though soy has been consumed worldwide for centuries. Of course, there is a significant difference between the ultra-processed variant and the natural bean form when it comes to every other food. This can also refer to the supplements of the plant compounds present in this wonderful alternative.

Minimally processed types of soy, like tempeh, edamame, tofu, soy milk, and miso paste—are all healthy and safe. More so, sustainable proteins are recommended by experts, such as the American Cancer Society, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association (and the list goes on), as part of a healthy diet.

If you have been shunning soy-based foods and products in the market, your nearby grocery store, or even at your favorite Japanese restaurant, here are some reasons why you must not focus on the myths you might have come across about soy. In short, it’s time to embrace soy as a part of your daily diet routine. 

Top 5 Reasons Soy Diet Is Important

1.  Soy consists of nutritional goods

Like other beans, soy contains minerals, nourishing vitamins, and protein. Moreover, a half-cup of edamame, for instance, provides you with more than 20% of the daily value of fiber, protein, manganese, and vitamin K. That is not all. Soy comprises more than 10% of a human’s DV of copper, magnesium, folate, and iron. 

Yet another primary nutrient is potassium. Since edamame comprises 10% of the DV of such an essential nutrient, it can assist in countering sodium effects on the body and might even lower blood pressure. Plus, as the recommended intake is 4700 milligrams, an average intake among natives living in America is close to 2600 milligrams daily, according to a research piece. 

For those who did not know, soy is also referred to as a portion of complete protein food, implying that it consists of every critical amino acid. Only one of those plant proteins carries such an honor on its shoulders. With that said, never feel obligated to seek whole proteins for your diet. You must know that your body will make proteins if you consume several foods and sufficient calories throughout the day. 

2.  Soy keeps your heart happy

Approximately one-third of deaths in the US result from stroke and heart disease. Moreover, a minimum of 200,000 of these could have been avoided. This is because factors like smoking, poor diet plans, and a sedentary lifestyle cause heart disease. 

Additionally, a heart-healthy diet is relatively low in trans fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Plus, it’s rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, to begin with. Selecting soybeans instead of meat can reduce saturated fat, which might lower your bad cholesterol.

3.  Soy lowers your risk of specific cancer symptoms

Here is the primary soy controversy you might have come across. Soy comprises phytoestrogens that simply mean plants, and a few of us worry the influx of this property can increase the risk of inducing breast cancer. This is because one such factor for breast cancer is extended exposure to increased estrogen levels in a woman’s breast tissue. 

However, it appears that the opposite effect may be apparent. A study of a prominent women population who consumed soy daily in their diets stated that soy had no association with breast cancer. Plus, it lowered the risk of symptoms leading to the influx of cancer cells. More so, a research study of over 5000 women diagnosed with breast cancer stated that those who had soy products had close to 30% lower risk and a 28% lower chance of cancer mortality than those who didn’t.

4.  Soy can boost bone health

Regular soy consumption as part of your diet plan can alleviate the risk of bone fractures. What’s more? Even though it is not evident why soy leads to good bone health and density, one of the theories states that phytoestrogens might induce a beneficial impact on your bones. Yet another theory found that swapping animal protein with soy or other plant-based proteins can lower saturated fat levels and offer more micronutrients that are imperative to bone health, such as vitamin K and magnesium. 

5.  Soy could be ideal for your kidneys

Back in the day, kidney health was not a priority. However, things have changed, and people are becoming more aware of kidney-related diseases and conditions. That said, kidney diseases are mostly caused due to diabetes. Further, the kidneys happen to filter waste out of the blood, which later exits the body in the form of urine. 

In this case, soy protein relieves kidney stress and manages specific diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Summary

The 21st century is more about experimenting with food. But what would be better than an alternative edible that promotes healthy well-being? A moderate amount of soy food integrated into your diet can offer several benefits. In other words, isoflavone supplements can help alleviate the risk of hormonal cancers and osteoporosis in women, along with type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, researchers are yet to find more information on organic and genetically extracted soy to determine its risks and benefits.