Soy

Soy is rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, and bioactive components, especially isoflavones.

What is soy?

Soy is derived from the soybean, and its compound, isoflavone, delivers a range of health benefits. The soybean is a nutrient-dense food, and is a source of protein and rich in fibre, vitamins, and bioactive components, especially isoflavones.

Isoflavones belong to a broader category called phytoestrogens. These are plant-based substances that closely resemble human estrogens in structure. The most abundant isoflavone in soybeans is genistein, followed by daidzein, glycitein, and other similar compounds.

Soy benefits

The many benefits of the soy protein compound, isoflavones, are:

• They can protect the cells by reducing oxidation, decrease inflammation, and positively influence gene activity. 
• Soy isoflavones can mimic estrogen, particularly by activating a type of estrogen receptor linked to beneficial effects like cancer prevention and better heart health. 
• This contributes to protection against heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other age-related or diet-related conditions. 
• Despite some negative attention in the late 1990s, further research has revealed even more health advantages of soy. 
• Incorporating a variety of protein sources in your diet, especially soy, can help prevent many chronic diseases.

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