Soy is a versatile type of bean used mostly in Asia. It is found in foods like soy milk, soy sauce, miso, and tofu. I happen to think soy sauce is delicious. Sometimes soy is added to foods like cereal, bread, and meat products. There are many benefits to soy, but there is also said to be a few negative consequences to eating soy foods. However, for vegetarians, soy is a great source of protein. Even if you're not a vegetarian, soy products can help you obtain your daily diet of protein.
So what are the benefits of soy? Other than protein, scientific studies have shown that soy can lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease. But be aware that the health claims of soy do no apply to all soy products; these health benefits only apply to soy protein. Something that is labeled as "whole soy" or "contains soy protein" would have such health benefits. Whole soy foods also offer other nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Choosing soy instead of meat can be a great way to avoid cholesterol and saturated fats.
Rumor has it that soy foods can help prevent cancer. Groups such as the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do agree, though, that diets that include 25 to 50 grams of soy protein a day can help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, which is sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol," is the type of cholesterol that is known to build up in and to clog blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. This is one of the negative consequences to having a soy food diet. Not only that, but some soy foods aren't as healthy for you as their normal counterparts. A good example is milk. Soy milk does not contain nearly as much calcium as the milk from a cow does.
Soy foods are great in moderation. Those who think soy foods are fat free are wrong. Soy foods do contain fat, and it is not good to have a strictly soy food diet. The key to good health is eating a variety of foods and not focusing on just one. Gradually introduce soy into your diet, but don't overdo it. Remember that when you buy soy foods that you should look at the label to see if it is whole soy. Only then will you receive the health benefits of soy products!
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I'm glad you described the difference between the good soy and the bad soy. I had actually not realized that there was a better form of soy. But just like you stated, soy, the good soy that is, does have many beneficial reasons to be consumed. Eating a strictly soy diet is of course not good for you. But eating a strictly potato diet isn't good for you either, is it? Soy does contain many nutrients and vitamins, but that doesn't mean you need to eat just those to get everything you are supposed to consume in a day. Without the variety, we are definitely missing out on other nutrients good for our bodies. Like you said, Kevin, a moderate amount of soy in anyone's diet is helpful to your health. Just don't rely strictly on soy as your main, or only, food source.
ReplyDeletethose are good facts about soy but i still they are safe and that they are grossssss
ReplyDeleteWow. I like how you went really into detail in the health benefits of soy, such as when you said whole soy foods offer nutrients such as fibers, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Nice. That was very informative Kevin :) I agree that soy products are perfectly fine to be taking in moderation.
ReplyDeleteHuh my source said that soy cxan actually cause breast cancer? You never know what to believe though. Maybe if we check the dates one of our sources will be more recent. I dont really see how a food can cause cancer or help prevent it though. Suposively tomatoes are supose to be helpful in preventing cancer, but you never know. Very Good Blog KS
ReplyDeleteVery well written Kevin! I did hear something about "good soy" and "bad soy". The difference was in the fermenting. I'm not exactly sure what it removes, but it obviously is better than non-fermented soy.
ReplyDeleteLike we all keep repeating, foods are best to eat in moderation. So don't go eating too many sushi rolls now!
Oh yeah, and I love the walrus!
ReplyDeleteGood job Kevin,
ReplyDeleteNice facts and information. I guess that on the topic of soy, like other foods that we intake, moderation is the best policy. This is true, however, only if you know that the ingredients listed on the label aren't harmful to your body. My research suggested that nonfermented soy products can be much, much more unhealthy and I read somewhere that soy in the nonfermented state was supposedly banned for a while or something. I'm not sure if this was reliable though.
Kevin good job i liked how you listed the different types of soy. I think that soy in moderation is good just like any other food
ReplyDeleteMagnificent job Kevdog. I had no idea that unless it says whole soy, the product does not give you all of the health benefits. Good to know. I did not quite understand the cholesterol part, probably because I didn't read the article well haha. But, you said that soy reduces the risk of heart disease because it lowers cholesterol and then you said it lowers LDL cholesterol increasing the risk of heart disease. Two different types of cholesterol? Wouldn't they counter-act each other? Who cares haha. Great work though.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with everyone else in saying that I really enjoyed how you explained the different types and aspects of soy. I also agree with Austin in saying I had no idea that whole soy is the only kind of soy that offers all of the benefits. Although this has already been repeated a bunch, moderation is key. Since we do not know for sure if soy is good or bad for your health, people should just stop worrying and eat what they want. If someone wants to eat almost all soy, so be it, they should just be aware of what consequences they could encounter. Not consuming any soy at all is also an option, but then again you may be missing out on some important nutrients.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a very well written article about soy, because most people only know of it because they think it is gross. Im sure you made some people want to eat it, along with me, even though I already do. Soyjoy <3
ReplyDeleteI agree with austin, becuase i didnt know that whole soy had the most benefits. I really liked the layout of your post and after reading it i felt well informed. GOOD JOB KEV!
ReplyDeleteGreat information Kevin! I totally agree with your last paragraph. Soy has great benefits in moderation. That was interesting that soy does indeed contain some fat.
ReplyDeleteI think I had a horribly misleading typo when I talked about the LDL cholesterol, my bad.
ReplyDelete