Soy products are becoming more and more popular every day. A soy diet promises not only to lose weight, but also to protect against cancer. Is soy really so good?

Soy and soy products are increasingly seen on store shelves. And if earlier soy was mainly an element of oriental cuisine, today it has gained immense popularity, especially in the USA and Europe.

There is a huge amount of conflicting information about soy: some sources write that it can prevent cancer, and others that can lead to Alzheimer's disease. In this article I will try to give the most complete overview of information about this product. But I must admit right away - a more "controversial" topic, I have not yet met.

What is soybeans?

Soybean is an annual plant related to legumes, that is, to the usual peas, beans, lentils, etc. Most of it is cultivated in Asia, the Americas, parts of Africa and Australia, and on the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Soybeans were also grown in some European countries, but in much smaller quantities. The second, no less famous name for soybeans is soybeans.

Soya has become popular, mainly because it is rich in high-grade protein (which contains essential amino acids. The percentage of protein in soya depending on the variety can vary from 30 to 50%. That is why soy products are so popular among those who, for whatever reason, does not eat animal products.

Also, soy contains a lot of fats - from 16 to 27%.

It is necessary to cancel that soybeans in their natural form are unsuitable for food and, in the truest sense of the word, poisonous. Only fermented   soy products, i.e. subjected to fermentation, can be used in food.

Soya products include:

There are many more varieties of products that are produced with the addition of soy - these are mayonnaises, desserts, sausages, etc. But all of them are more likely derived from the above.

The most interesting thing is that most semi-finished products consisting of soy products contain unfermented soy, which did not go through the necessary long fermentation process, which means it is unsuitable for food.

Soya diet

Soy diet usually involves replacing conventional foods with soy counterparts. For example, ordinary cow's milk needs to be replaced with soy, ordinary meat with soy, and well, include, for example, tofu in your diet. Substitutions and variations can be many, but the essence, I think, is clear.

Such measures are often resorted to by people who do not eat meat and, in general, animal products. But is it worth it those who just want to lose weight?

The very first thing that soy diet advocates usually mention is that it is rich in protein, which means it contributes not only to weight loss (with a calorie deficit, of course), but also to the preservation of muscle mass, which, combined with physical activity, allows you to achieve muscle relief. Those. in fact, she is credited with all the classic characteristics of protein diets (respectively, and disadvantages, too). In my opinion, the complete replacement of all soy products is still not the best solution, because it turns your food into a mono-diet, and as you know, it is impossible to satisfy all the body's needs for vitamins, eating mainly one product.

The second point in the positive aspects of the diet on soy products is called their lower calorie contentin comparison with "animal" counterparts. Here I do not see much difference. For example, the calorie content of soy milk with a percentage of fat of 1.8% is 54 kcal. Normal milk of the same fat content contains 46 kcal. In soy meat with a fat content of 1 g per 100 g, approximately 296 kcal. In lean beef with a fat content of 7 g - 158 kcal. And in 100 g of chicken breast, for example, 1 g of fat and 110 kcal. But, of course, it should be noted that the protein content in soy meat is almost 2 times higher. I think it makes no sense to continue such comparisons, because even despite the fact that different manufacturers of KBZhU products will differ, in my opinion, there is no reason to consider soy products to be significantly less high-calorie.

In addition, there is an opinion that soy products are cheaper than "ordinary". Honestly, I see a diametrically opposite situation during purchases - soy products are located in special nutrition departments and, most often, even more expensive. But perhaps I came across such stores, because different distribution networks have different suppliers. I can’t draw conclusions about the cost of soy products on this basis.

Among the shortcomings of soybeans, it should be mentioned that this product is not typical for our region and causes many people digestive problems. Well, of course, the option of food allergy is not excluded, but this applies to absolutely all food products.

In addition, the availability of soy products in all regions is different and, I can assume that not every retail network provides a wide selection of these products.

But all these are “flowers”, and the most important “feature” of soy products is that they are characterized by so different effects on the body that they can be both useful and dangerous. And this will be discussed below.

Soybean composition

I will not consider in detail all the vitamins and elements that make up soya, but dwell on those components of soya products that are the most "controversial" in terms of their danger / safety and require detailed consideration. These are: isoflavones (genistin), fetic acids, soya lecithin.

Isoflavones are natural components that are found in some plants, including soy. These substances belong to the group of phytoestrogens. As you know, estrogens are female sex hormones. However, contrary to popular belief, soy isoflavones are not a plant hormone. Nevertheless, in their structure they really resemble one of the female sex hormones, which gives reason to believe that isoflavones, entering the body able to have a hormonal effectsimilar to the action of estrogen (although this is not exactly proven). Moreover, some studies have shown that isoflavones are able to “behave” not only in a manner similar to estrogens (with a lack of estrogen), but also act as antiestrogens (with an excess of estrogen).

Genistein is a plant substance belonging to the class of isoflavones. It is believed that it is able to delay the development of certain types of cancer, as well as diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Phytic acid   - Another name is myo-inositol hexaphosphoric acid. In fact, this is a form of storage of phosphorus in plants. Phytic acid has a fairly strong antioxidant effect and, according to some studies, is effective in treating cancer.

Lecithin - in translation means "egg yolk", because it was first isolated in 1845 from egg yolk. Today, the bulk of lecithin is extracted from soybeans. Soya lecithin is actively used not only in the food and chemical industries, in particular in the production of cosmetics, but also in medicine. Based on this substance, a lot of drugs and dietary supplements have been produced that prevent liver diseases. In general, lecithin is considered to be a vital substance for humans, since it is found in almost all cells and tissues of the body, and, accordingly, with its lack, the normal functioning of all systems is impossible.

Soybean research

Research on soy products began in the early 19th century. All the “miraculous” properties attributed to soy are connected with the fact that “once” “someone” noticed that the inhabitants of Asia have much better health indicators compared to the inhabitants of Europe and America. In particular, osteoporosis is much less common, cancer (especially breast cancer) and mortality from cardiovascular diseases are also significantly lower. They decided to look for the reason in food. Having studied the differences in the diet of East and West, we found that in the diet of the peoples of Asia in a sufficiently large amount there are soy products. While in other regions, soy products have not yet been distributed. Having thought it over, they decided that soy was the culprit of good health. And since then, numerous and contradictory studies of soybeans and their properties have begun. Paradoxically, very often the same fact was confirmed in the course of one study and refuted in the course of another.

Soy and osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a progressive systemic disease of the skeleton, characterized by a decrease in bone density and, accordingly, an increase in their fragility. The reason is the violation of metabolic processes in bone tissue, in which the processes of destruction prevail over the processes of bone formation. As a result, the risk of fractures and the time to recover from them increase.

Osteoporosis often develops in women during menopause. It is believed that this is due to a decrease in the production of female sex hormone - estrogen. As I wrote above, soy isoflavones are similar in action to these hormones when they are deficient in the body. Based on this, it was suggested that the use of soybean reduces the risk of osteoporosis and conducted a study involving two hundred women. Half of them for six months each day additionally took soy protein. The study showed that in those who took soy, the rates of bone destruction were significantly lower than those who did not use soy. Based on this, we concluded that the use of soy is capable of reduce the risk of osteoporosis   in women during menopause.

However, there is an opposite point of view. As we found out, fetic acid is the “repository” of phosphorus in plants. But the fact is that in the human body fetic acid is not absorbed, respectively, and phosphorus from it, too. Moreover, fetic acid binds substances such as zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium. Those. it not only “does not bring” anything to your body, but also “takes” such necessary substances. In the long run, it can lead to the development of mineral deficiency   in the body, which means to the destruction of teeth and the development of the same osteoporosis. For children, an excess of fetic acid can be whiter than dangerous and lead to a delay in the development of the skeleton and its deformation.

A logical question arises: why then do Asian people have lower levels of osteoporosis? Most likely, this is offset by the presence of a large number of seafood.

It should be noted that fetic acid is contained   in all legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. Naturally, in different quantities. That is why it is not reasonable to eat oatmeal for breakfast every day.

Soy and Thyroid

There is an opinion (as always confirmed by scientific research))) that soy isoflavones can adversely affect the thyroid gland and even cause the formation of goiter. However, it was later established that these data were obtained during experiments in which the amount of iodine entering the body was not taken into account. When iodine is enough in the diet, soy products do not have a negative effect on the thyroid gland.

Soy and breast cancer

It is difficult to imagine a more terrible disease than cancer. And ... no less difficult to understand contributes to the development of soybeans or vice versa stops the course of the disease.

So in some studies, they concluded that the use of soy products is essential reduces the risk of developing breast cancerif you start to use this product from adolescence (when tissue formation occurs).

Others noticed that in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, and who began to eat soy products before the removal of the tumor, significantly malignant cell reproduction processes increased.

Another no less “sensational” large-scale study concluded that women who survived breast cancer and cured of it have a much lower chance of recurring this disease if they include soy products in their diet.

I gave just a few examples. To continue the list of studies regarding the effect of soy on the development of breast cancer can be very long. All of them will contradict each other.

Soy and cognitive impairment

To all of the above, we can add that soy was also accused of increasing the risk of developing alzheimer's disease, to an earlier aging of the body and, in general, to a more frequent manifestation of mental disorders in those who regularly add soy-based products to their diet.

Soy Products in Baby Food

As I wrote above, with insufficient intake of iodine in the body, soy can affect the functioning of the thyroid gland. If this occurs in childhood and adolescence, it can lead to a delay in development and growth.

There is also evidence that the constant presence of soy in baby food can provoke earlier puberty for girls, and vice versa, delay puberty in boys.

In general, in different countries, the attitude to soy in children's diets is also different. Somewhere it is considered safe, somewhere it is recommended that you consult with your doctor about the possibility of introducing soy in the child’s nutrition, but someone warns against these products.

GMO soy

Another ambiguous aspect of the problem regarding soy is its “appearance”. Soya grains grown in Asia are typically "natural." Most U.S. soybeans grown today genetically modified, i.e. obtained by introducing additional genes that were not originally present in this plant. In particular, an enzyme gene is considered a “possible carcinogen” for humans. Import of transgenic soybeans is allowed almost all over the world, and, accordingly, soy products that you see on store shelves may well be from gmo grains.

I think that the issue of the harmfulness / harmlessness of transgenic soy should not be considered separately from other GMO products. It is rather a question of whether genetically modified foods can be eaten at all.

Fortunately in Russia, for example, labeling of soybean GMO products is mandatory. Therefore, when buying products from soy, you will be aware of how it is grown. In Europe, too, no one wants to “keep the big secret” of GMO soybeans - you just need to pay attention to the information on the product labels.

Should I Eat Soy Products?

As you can see, the “opinion of science” about soy is very controversial. Studying publications for writing this article, I met with a huge amount of criticism of those who are for and against soy products addressed to each other. Many studies are accused of failing to comply with all the conditions of the "purity of the experiment" or not take into account all the influential factors. In addition, a lot of research has been done on animals, so you cannot be sure that the human body will react in the same way. Well, do not forget about the quantity. After all, any, even the most useful, product can harm the body to one degree or another, if there is too much of it in your diet.

I think that in this matter, everyone should form their own opinion.

For me personally, the fact that soy products is far from the only factor that affects the well-being of people and the “good health” of Asian people is not the result of soy or tea ceremonies. This is the result of a different culture of life in general. Not only a culture of nutrition or physical activity, but also a look at life, reactions to stressful stimuli, and a way of thinking and behavior. I no longer believe in any one miracle product that can cure all diseases, but I believe that everything works in conjunction with each other. I am not “afraid” of soy products and periodically include tofu in my diet as a substitute for meat or fish. But I don’t eat it for weeks, since “everything is good in moderation” and any excess in nutrition in the direction of some foods always leads to a lack of substances contained in others. Therefore, in my opinion, it would be wiser to use the full range of pp dishes in your diet, and not to "go in cycles" on any one product.

Only lazy did not hear about soy today. A huge number of semi-finished products and final food products are prepared from it. Soy is a nutritious, protein product that is very valuable to our body. At the same time, it is very cheap, so the manufacturer is trying to replace part of the recipe ingredients with it, primarily to reduce the cost of production and increase profitability. So soy appeared in the composition of sweets and various convenience foods: dumplings, pasties, meatballs.

In addition, there are many tasty and healthy stand-alone products that can diversify your table. These are tofu and soya mince, dry semi-finished products (asparagus, cereal), intended for eating after preliminary soaking. As you can see, soy is a universal product.

A bit of history

How long have we learned about this plant? More recently, so many consider this bean novelty, a miracle of genetic engineering. In fact, soy is a culture that was known even before our era. Hippocrates used it as a medicine. In Russia, they seriously thought about growing these legumes in 1905, when food shortages arose and it was decided to introduce them to the soldiers ’diet.

Soya is a unique plant. In its composition, about half of the protein, in addition, about 30% is allocated to enzymes, pectins and organic acids. However, the main advantage is considered to be a high protein content. This plant is unpretentious and high-yielding. It turns out that soy products are about 15 times cheaper than meat products.

What is made from soy

Today, vegetarian practice is becoming very popular. Moreover, protein deficiency in the body still needs to be compensated. Therefore, modern people are well aware of what soy is. However, the beans need some processing. Let's briefly list which soy products you can buy on the market today.

• Soya flour. It would seem that here is surprising. However, it is a strong competitor to wheat, as it contains many minerals and proteins. However, it does not contain proteins, so products from it are considered dietary. Soy meat is prepared from it, which is produced in dry form. The protein content in it is high - about 54%, but almost no cholesterol and calories.
• Soy milk is obtained from beans. It has a pleasant taste and delicate aroma. This is a great option for a person allergic to protein.
• Oil. It is rich in fatty acids.
• Tofu is a versatile product that is made from milk. It is well absorbed.

Life-giving sprouts

Germinated soybean has long been used in the East. Today, in every city there are special departments where you can buy dry beans or already bristling with tiny sprouts. This tender shoot is a real storehouse of vitamins of group B, C and carotene. Germinated beans can be used to combat vitamin deficiency.

But the whole list of useful properties does not end there. Tiny sprouts contain amino acids, macro- and microelements. Regular use allows you to normalize the metabolism. Today there is a theory that such a simple and natural remedy protects the body from most of the most serious and formidable diseases. It is not for nothing that from ancient times sprouted beans were called the "elixir of youth."

Benefits for the body

Today you can find completely contradictory information that is difficult to verify. Based on some data, it is recommended to eat soy in food as often as possible. At the same time, one can hear doubts: are soy products harmful to health? Today this question is a subject of debate not only for ordinary inhabitants, but also for scientists. So let's get it together.

As mentioned above, beans are rich in protein. In addition, they contain many useful substances. Phytic acids are believed to prevent cancer. Do not forget that they also slow down the absorption of calcium in the intestines. Phospholipids increase immunity and slow down the aging process. However, it should be noted that these properties are not officially confirmed and are rather the assumptions of scientists. This is on the one hand. And on the other, not only soy is the source of these substances.

However, this is not all. If you collect all the information about the beneficial properties of soy, it turns out that it contains vitamins of groups B and E, as well as numerous trace elements. Equally important is the presence of lecithin, which normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, improves memory. Plant protein is an excellent alternative to the animal in the diet of patients with diabetes. Moreover, her calorie content is very small. For 100 g of soybeans, 364 kcal. At the same time, 34 g is accounted for by protein, and 17 by fats and carbohydrates. The feeling of satiety after eating soy products does not leave for a very long time.

Why, even today, many doubt that soy is useful, because on the face is the highest content of useful substances in it. Let's consider the arguments against the use of this product.

Possible harm

The dangerous properties of soy are due to the fact that in the pursuit of profit, humanity began to use modified plants. This is due to the fact that it gives a larger amount of yield in record time. After that, heated debate began about whether such experiments are harmful or not, and how the consumption of a modified product can threaten a person in the future for several generations. Today it is difficult to say whether soybeans modified at the genetic level continue to be grown, but discussions are still ongoing.

What the manufacturer uses

There is one more point. There is feed soy, which goes to feed livestock. It really can be dangerous to humans. But an unscrupulous manufacturer can use such raw materials, because they are cheaper. And if we consider a natural, high-quality product, can it be harmful? For a healthy body - no. However, there are certain points worth knowing about:

• It is worth being careful when using soy to people suffering from diseases of the endocrine system. The substances that make up the beans slow down the production of hormones, which can lead to a worsening situation.
• Children should not give soy products. They are rich in phytoestrogens, which can affect the processes of growth and development.
• With a diagnosis of urolithiasis, soy should also be discarded. Oxalic acid is to blame.

Instead of a conclusion

We tried to tell in detail what soy is. Description, composition, calorie content, harm and benefit - all these points are reflected in our article. To draw final conclusions is already the work of each of you. But based on the material presented, it turns out that a healthy person can regularly eat high-quality soybeans without any fears. A reasonable solution is to use these beans once or twice a week, so you will provide the body with valuable substances and protect it from possible problems.

Soy is a bean plant. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that soy is the only plant that supplies a complete protein with the best combination of amino acids, which is close to the animal. There is also enough fat in soy, but few carbohydrates.

In addition, soy contains a lot of phospholipids (soy is the leading plant among them), linoleic acid, tocopherols (also leading among vegetable oils), lecithin and choline, isoflavones (phytoestrogens) and a lot of useful nutrients.

About whether soy is harmful, about the disputes that are ongoing around this product, read here:. This is an objective and balanced analysis, without speculation and "intimidation", which is full of runet. This article is devoted to the issue of soybean composition.

Soy Proteins

The World Health Organization, evaluating the quality of proteins for children and adults, set the soy protein isolate to a maximum rating of 1. This means that its biological value is no less than the value of meat and dairy protein. Soy protein is perfectly absorbed by the body.

Squirrels   - 35-40% (in other legumes 20-30)

Soybean fats

Zhirov   soy also contains a lot of unsaturated: polyunsaturated (linoleic acid, linolenic acid) and monounsaturated (oleic acid).

Saturated fat (palmitic acid) is much less.

Fats - up to 40% (in other legumes 2-14%)   Of them:

• Unsaturated Fat - 86%
• Linoleic acid and linolenic acid - 63% (linolenic acid - 7%)
• Oleic acid - 23%
• Saturated fats - 14% (cf., in animal fats 41-66%)

The role of linoleic, and especially linolenic acid - a plant-based variant of omega-3 fatty acids - is very important, the acid prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer. This fundamental property of soy allows us to consider it an anti-atherosclerotic product that lowers cholesterol.

Phospholipids - 1.6-2.2% Phospholipids increase the detoxification ability of the liver, reduce the need for insulin in diabetics, and prevent degenerative changes in nerve cells, muscles, and capillaries. Tocopherols - 830-1200 mg / kg Tocopherols - allow you to stay strong and young for a long time, they most increase the body's protective properties and potency.

Soy carbohydrates

Carbohydrates - 20-30% (soluble sugars, polysaccharides).

Among carbohydrates, raffinoses and stachyoses reduce the risk of dysbiosis and cancer (they are nutrition for bifidobacteria).

More about the composition of soybeans in numbers:

Macro and microelements (in mg per 100 g of seeds):

• potassium - 1607
• phosphorus - 603
• calcium - 348
• magnesium - 226
• sulfur - 214
• silicon - 177
• chlorine - 64
• sodium - 44
• iron - 9670
• manganese - 2800
• boron - 750
• aluminum 700
• copper - 500
• nickel - 304
• molybdenum - 99
• cobalt - 31.2
• iodine - 8.2

Vitamins

• β-carotene - 0.15-0.20
• vitamin E - 17.3
• pyridoxine (B6) - 0.7-1.3
• niacin (PP) - 2.1-3.5
• pantothenic acid (B3) - 1.3-2.23
• riboflavin (B2) - 0.22-0.38
• thiamine (B1) - 0.94-1.8
• choline - 270
• biotin - 6.0-9.0 mcg
• folic acid - 180-200.11 mcg

(Data “About soybean composition   in numbers ”taken from Wikipedia).

2 SHORT REFERENCES

What soy foods do we know?   Soy products - tofu, tempe, misso, natto, soy sauce, soy flour, soy meat, soy nuts and soy milk, etc. Soy and soy products are widely used in East Asian (especially Japanese and Chinese) and vegetarian cuisine.

Read more: composition, benefits, use in cooking, how to choose.

What is GM soy?   Soy is one of the crops over which genetic changes are currently being made. GM soy is part of an increasing number of products. There is debate about how safe this is. Nevertheless, soybean producers must indicate on the packaging and label of the product whether it contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or not.

What is soy and how is it useful? This question interests almost everyone. What is the reason for this? The fact is that lately, more and more of the mentioned ingredient has been added to the food products familiar to us. Thus, he began to gradually replace meat, as well as other components.

So what is soy and how is it useful? Photos of this product and its features will be presented below.

General information

Soya - what is it? This annual herbaceous plant belonging to Cultivated Soybean is actively cultivated in Southern Europe, Australia and Asia, as well as in South and North America, South and on the islands of the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

Product Features

Soya - what is it? The seeds of this plant are a fairly common food product. According to experts, such fruits have the following characteristics:

• high protein content (up to 50%);
• high productivity;
• the possibility of preventing cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis;
• the presence of a large number of B vitamins, calcium, iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids and potassium.

How to use?

Soy - what is it, and what properties do the fruits in question have? Their unique properties allow the production of a wide range of different products.

Before telling you what harmful soy is, it should be said that it is very often used as an inexpensive substitute for meat and dairy products. Also, the fruits are part of the feed for farm animals.

Product benefits

What properties does soy have? The benefits and harms (for health) of this product are the subject of frequent debate by many experts. However, most of them consider such fruits to be unique in a number of indicators.

Scientists have found that the product in question contains a huge amount of genestein, phytic acid and isoflavonoids. They have an effect that is similar to the action of such a female sex hormone as estrogen. This feature of soy causes its certain healing properties, namely the ability to reduce the risk of cancer.

It should also be noted that it inhibits the development of benign and malignant tumors, and genestein is a unique substance that slows the growth of cancer.

Basic properties

Soy - what is it, and what are its properties? which were obtained by fermentation, very often include in the daily diet of both adults and adolescents. Such dishes are used not only as a prophylactic, but also for the treatment of diathesis, diabetes mellitus, various allergic reactions, urolithiasis and gallstone diseases. Moreover, soy is indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system and liver.

Not so long ago, experts found that the composition of the product includes lecithin, acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine. These substances effectively restore and reconstruct brain and nerve tissue cells, and also have a positive effect on learning, cognitive abilities and memory.

It is impossible not to say that all of the above elements play an important role in supporting the human sexual function and reproductive system. In addition, they restore strength after mental and moral stress, and also support the patient's motor activity.

What else is useful for the product in question? Lecithin, which is part of it, is able to control blood cholesterol, enhance the metabolism of adipose tissue and participate in other metabolic processes of the body. Also, this component inhibits tissue degradation and aging processes, reduces signs of arteriosclerosis, treats amnesia, muscle dystrophy and glaucoma.

What is harmful soybeans in products?

In addition to an impressive list of useful properties of the product in question, it also has a large number of harmful qualities. By the way, the latter can easily negate all the benefits of its use in everyday diet.

Most soy products on the local market are hazardous foods. The only exception is food that was obtained through fermentation.

The most dangerous is genetically modified soy. Specialists claim that such an ingredient is contaminated with herbicide residues and does not contribute to maintaining normal health.

How to get GM soy?

Why is genetically modified soy so dangerous? The fact is that in the process of its cultivation, farmers process plantations with a huge amount of such a potent poisonous herbicide as Roundup. The latter is intended not only for weed control, but also for a significant increase in yield.

How does it affect human health?

In the course of numerous studies, experts have found that regular consumption of soy products causes the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland dysfunction, diseases of the immune system, impaired reproductive function and also infertility, heart problems and even cancer.

We list some of the consequences that were associated with the frequent use of soy and soy products:

• mammary cancer;
• stones in the kidneys;
• brain damage;
• food allergy (serious forms);
• disorders in the thyroid gland;
• diseases of the immune system;
• sexual disorders in women.

It should also be noted that American scientists found that those of the stronger sex who consumed soy products 3 times a week for a long time, the risk of developing Alzheimer's increased almost 2 times. Also, the abuse of this food often led to a weakening of memory, a decrease in the mass of the brain, and a disturbance in mental processes.

Negative human impact

As mentioned above, soy contains phytic acid. Its excessive intake of the body helps to block the full absorption of zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. In addition, with the help of soy products, scientists have learned to control the birth rate of laboratory animals. The fact is that in large quantities, phytoestrogen is able to suppress the reproductive function of the body and significantly reduce its ability to conceive.

It should be noted that many manufacturers add soy to infant formula. Often this leads to the early puberty of girls and impaired development (physical) in boys. In this regard, the introduction of soy products in baby food is completely unacceptable.

Soy or Chinese oil peas are a popular food product that is one way or another included in the diet of any person.

For vegetarians, soy is an indispensable source of protein. It is eaten both in its natural form (soybeans) and in the form of various soy products. This is soy flour, meat, milk, butter and even soy cheese (cottage cheese) - tofu. A series of very special products are made from fermented soybeans - tempe, miso and natto. Also known is “Chinese asparagus” - a soy milk foam. It is also called yuba, doupei or fuli.

For people who eat meat, the choice of products, which includes soy, is much wider - these are sausages and pastries, dairy products, canned goods, mayonnaises, concentrates, pastries, sweets, all kinds of drinks and much more.

The widespread use of soy has generated a lot of rumors about its harm and benefits. Some argue that soy is not only completely safe for health, but also brings great benefits. Others say that the nutritional value of soy is too exaggerated, and side effects are not deliberately advertised.

We will try to give the most objective information that will help everyone to draw their own conclusions regarding the benefits and harms of soybeans.

Composition and calorie content

For starters - a little about the composition of soy. Her beans are 40% vegetable protein. It practically does not differ from animal proteins. Fats and carbohydrates account for 20%, water - 10%. The remaining 10% was divided equally between ash and fiber.

Soy is rich in lecithin, it contains all the vitamins of group B, vitamins A, PP, H and E. It has a lot of macro and micro elements, especially potassium, calcium phosphorus, silicon, iron, zinc and manganese. Soy is a natural source of bioflavonoids.

She's calorie enough - in 100 gr. dry soybean contains 364 kcal.

How is soy healthy?

Eating soy lowers the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. Due to this property, Chinese oil peas have the most positive effect on the state of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system as a whole. For example, in countries of Asia or India, where soy is a traditional food product, the population is much less likely to suffer from heart disease.

Soy fiber provides the body with valuable dietary fiber. This prevents constipation, perfectly cleanses the intestines from undigested residues and improves its peristalsis. Due to its absorbent properties, fiber naturally removes toxins and harmful substances from the body.

Soya prevents the development of osteoporosis, increases density and strengthens bone tissue. It removes excess fluid from the body, helps with diabetes and cholecystitis. Soy milk helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is prescribed for cirrhosis and general exhaustion.

Saturating cells with macro- and microelements, soy has a rejuvenating effect on all body tissues. It improves the condition of the skin, making it more elastic.

Who benefits from eating soy

Soy foods normalize hormones. This quality makes it possible to alleviate the condition of women in the menopause and prevents the development of female diseases. The antioxidant properties of soy are also known - it was found that the bioflavonoids contained in it prevent and stop the development of cancer cells. Showing products from soy and hypertension.

Soya beans - a source of vegetable protein that is completely absorbed by the body. This is its huge advantage over the "meat" protein. Soy dishes do not lead to the appearance of extra pounds and are suitable for anyone who dreams of a slim figure. Soy is part of many diets, and tofu cheese is generally considered the best product for a fitness diet. Based on soybeans, many “sports” supplements and dietary supplements are being developed.

Small beans contain soya lecithin, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous tissue. Soya improves the activity of brain cells, so it is recommended to enter it on the menu for everyone who wants to increase concentration and improve memory. Soy is a salvation for people suffering from intolerance to dairy products and allergies to animal proteins.

Who is contraindicated with soy?

Soy is not possible for people with endocrine diseases - its effect on hormones leads to a general imbalance. The result will be general weakness, painful conditions, obesity, and constipation. Soy can provoke the formation of kidney stones, so it is better to limit its use to people with urolithiasis.

There are many cases when soybean accelerated the aging of the body, suppressed the development of brain cells and led to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

One of the side effects of adult men using soy is a decrease in sperm activity and testosterone levels. Causing a hormonal imbalance, it provoked an increase in the mammary glands in them and decreased sexual activity.

Women “soy addiction” threatens to reduce reproductive function and may lead to infertility. That is why it is especially undesirable to abuse soy products to teenage girls.

Regular consumption of soy can provoke metabolic disorders, a significant decrease in immunity and the development of cancer. In some cases, soy diets were associated with the occurrence of chronic diseases, as well as ailments, the nature of which could not be explained.

Soy in the children's diet - the opinions of scientists

Chinese oil peas and any products that make up it are not recommended for children. The reasons are very different.

Numerous studies confirm that soy has a negative effect on the hormonal background of a child, causing a surge in hormones. For girls, this is fraught with too early maturation, and for boys - an increase in estrogen levels.

Soy also causes pancreatic diseases in children, serious disorders in the gastrointestinal tract and provokes the development of allergies. There are many confirmed facts that soy-based baby food lowers immunity: with age, this leads to numerous diseases.

It is strictly forbidden to give children products from genetically modified soy, since its effect on a fragile body has not been studied. It is known that even an adult at least (!) After 10 years of regular use of soybeans will be able to objectively evaluate the effect that it had on his body.

So useful or harmful ?!

All of the above has scientific justification and irrefutable evidence. This causes debate about the benefits and harms of soybeans to a standstill. However, there is a way out of any deadlock - you just need to look for it well.

Let’s remember when exactly the first differences began? That's right - when soy products began to arrive en masse in the stores and markets of our country. But before, these were scarce, “exotic” goods that you will not find in the afternoon with fire! The reason was the high yield of soy, which was a direct result of genetic engineering. Here it is - the way out!

Genetically modified soybeans are not damaged by the pest and are resistant to diseases - this has allowed to grow it for export in large quantities. At times, the production of soy products has increased, and the technology for their production is developing rapidly. Soy products and additives moved from the category of "few and only for the elite" to the category of "many and for all."

Scientists themselves recognize that the consequences of consuming genetically modified soybeans can manifest themselves in dozens (!) Years and even directly affect children and grandchildren. Though officially harm her not recognized.

Thus, if you are sure that in your diet "natural" soybeans - bon appetit! Although it is better for children not to give it at all, or to give it little by little. Genetically modified beans are a “casket with a surprise” and no one knows if it will turn out to be pleasant or not very ...