Soy is a common legume originating from Asia. Most Vegetarian uses soybean to replace meat due to its high protein content. This makes soy products healthy and can help the body in various ways, ensuring improved quality of life.
In addition, soy can be consumed in different forms, as many products are made from them.
This article will explore the various health benefits of soy products.
Soy Products and Nutrients Composition
What's in this article...
Before looking at the various health benefits, let’s first review some common soy product. There are versatile soy product such as soybean oil, milk, flour, textured vegetable protein, yogurt, tempeh, and miso, among others products. Some of these products can be used as primary ingredients in making other products, while others, such as milk and yogurt, can be taken directly. Depending on the manufacturer, these products also contain other essential ingredients, improving their benefits.
Soy product contain a wealth of nutrients and minerals, which make them healthier and more beneficial to the human body. Fiber, sugar, proteins, carbs, and fats, including saturated and polyunsaturated fats, are the primary nutrients in soy product. Each nutrient has a significant contribution to the body.
Further, soy product contain essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin K, Folate or Vitamin B9, thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, molybdenum, copper, phosphorous, and manganese. These vitamins and minerals play significant roles in your body, including blood clotting, during pregnancy and improving the functions of major body organs.
Other essential compounds in soy products include isoflavones, phytic acid, and saponins. These compounds can act as an antioxidant and reduce cholesterol.
On that note, here are the health benefits of soy products.
Reduce Cancer Risk
Cancer has been a leading cause of most deaths in modern society. Regular intake of soy products or as a significant ingredient can help supply the body with major and essential nutrients and minerals that can help prevent and fight cancer. Soy products such as oil have been linked with improving the immune system and can be crucial in fighting cancer-causing organisms.
Further, soy products have been associated with increased breast tissue in women, reducing breast cancer risk. Compounds, such as isoflavones and lunasin in soy products, are said to protect against prostate cancer in men.
Reduce Menopause Symptoms
Menopause is a period where the menstruation cycle stops in women. The period is characterized by unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sweating caused by reduced estrogen levels. High consumption of soy products may help reduce these symptoms significantly.
The isoflavones compound in soy products is a phytoestrogen, which can help supplement the estrogens in women’s bodies and hence deal with menopause symptoms. However, for soy to be effective in dealing with menopause symptoms, adequate gut bacteria must help convert isoflavones into equol, which is responsible for dealing with these symptoms.
Improve Bone Health
Soy product have been linked with improving bone health. Bone problems such as osteoporosis are characterized by an increased risk of bone fractures and reduced bone density, especially in senior citizens. Various minerals, nutrients, and vitamins, such as vitamin K and isoflavones, can play an essential role in maintaining healthy and strong bones and reducing the risks of fractures. Therefore, consuming soy product such as soybean oil and milk can help people with bone problems or those at high risk of osteoporosis.
Help In Weight Loss
Soy product contain a high fiber level, which significantly impacts BMI and can help reduce cholesterol levels. Consuming soy product such as soy milk and other low-fat diets can help reduce obesity while ensuring proper muscle mass.
Enhance Heart Health and Functioning
Soy product help to reduce and maintain cholesterol levels, which are significant causes of heart problems. Soy milk and oil are crucial in improving heart functionality. This is because they help improve the lipid level in the body and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The availability of polyunsaturated fatty acids in most soy product ensures that the heart is healthy and functioning well. Other minerals and vitamins also contribute to protecting and boosting the heart. Consumption of soy product helps to supply the body with essential vitamins and compounds that impact the heart significantly.
Protect the Skin
Soy product can help improve the condition of your skin while at the same time dealing with any skin problem. These products contain antioxidant compounds that help deal with free radicals and prevent skin damage. Moreover, soy product, such as serum, gel, and lotion, can help protect your skin against harmful UV rays that can damage your skin.
Also, soy product such as milk can help deal with skin acne, a serious skin problem. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation conditions characterized by skin darkening. These products also have anti-aging properties, hence preventing premature aging.
Wrapping Up
Soy supply the body with numerous nutrients that help to improve bodily functioning. You can include this in your diet or consume them directly. There are other vital health benefits associated with this products that haven’t been captured in this article, such as enhancing hair growth, acting as an antidepressant, and helping muscle recovery after a workout. When buying this products, it is essential to consider the quality and the various ingredient included.
