Soy - Good or Bad

Soy, originally known as soybean, is a native East Asian species of legumes. Though it's a species of legume, it is counted more in the category of oil seeds rather than legumes and pulses. Due to numerous benefits and marketing extravaganzas, soy products are in the mainstream for quite a while now.

Soy - Good or Bad

As an astonishing fact, soy was cultivated before more than 5000 years, in China, to increase amounts of nitrogen in the soil. Another record suggests that soy was recorded as an industrial product in the journal of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is also said that since there was not much of a use of soy to the animals the marketers decided to find out an alternative market which was human food. Mind you, this is just an assumption and could be totally superficial as well.

'Is soy good or bad', it is seen and consumed everywhere and in every form, from hotdogs, to ice creams and from cream cheese to lunch meat, made of soy. There are many soy benefits claimed and experienced by its consumers, stating that there is no other perfect food as soy and soy products. Soy lecithin and soy estrogen (Isoflavones) are some example to get to know the popularity and usefulness of the soybeans. Soy is loaded with protein, essential fatty acids, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, fibers, vitamin B complex etc. Read on soybeans nutrition facts as well.

Soy - Good Effects

Is soy good for you? Well, the prime most benefit of soy is said to be on heart health as it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. It is also suggested that there are numerous health benefits of soy milk as it is low fat and low calorie milk substitute. Read more on soy milk nutritional information first. It is also suggested that maximum 46g of soy protein is very helpful to preserve heart health and evade heart disease, if any.

Soy also contains soluble fibers that fasten the rate of metabolism and provide the person with healthy skin, while high levels of calcium and phosphorus in soy provides healthy bones and teeth. Isoflavones present in soy disable breakage of bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis as well. This also makes soy, very beneficial for women that are on the edge of menopause, that can lead to excessive loss of calcium.

Women who regularly consume soy have reported very few symptoms of menopause and problems life hot flashes. The most important and evoking discovery about soy is related to prostate cancer. According to the findings, soy is very beneficial to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and also provide protection against breast cancer. Which is now denied due to soy milk estrogen and its effects on women already suffering with breast cancer.

Soy - Bad Effects

Is soy bad for you? Well, yes, if you follow the recent studies and researches. It is of late that people are becoming aware about the side effects of soy on the overall health of the person. These are basically the aftermaths of prolonged consumption of the soy and soy products. There is a lot of active research and heated debate going on about the side effects and hazards of soy products on an active lifestyle of a person. The biggest side effect of soy product is of course some soy allergy symptoms that people suffered with.

The beneficial soy estrogen or isoflavones that we were discussing earlier is the cause of a medical condition called endometrial hyperplasia. Thickening of uterine lining and increasing risks of uterine and cervical cancer. There are also chances of people to suffer from types of cancer that are related with hormones. The most recognized examples being breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

As the above point suggests, soy interferes to a great deal with the functions of hormones present in the body, which are extremely important for a healthy body system. Intake of soy protein and Isoflavone present in soy, reduces and slows down the functions of hormones like thyroid and makes the person to fall for hormonal imbalance and complications related to it. Soy is also bad for mineral absorption in the body.

Several researches suggest that soy blocks the absorption of certain important minerals like zinc, potassium and calcium and as a result the person suffers from mineral and vitamin deficiency and illnesses related to it. This is it. I guess you've got the answer to the question - "Is soy good for you?" the debate about soy good or bad is endless as both the parties are strong and with really good points to defend themselves. So, it's in your hands to be a 'better' judge and go for the side that you think fits you the best. All the best!