The Miracles of Soy

The common soybean, and many foods made from it, are rich in genistein, a naturally occurring (isoflavone) substance or chemical found in soy foods. It appears that consuming just modest amounts of soyfoods provides enough genistein to exert beneficial effects. The idea that soybeans may be protective against cancer is gaining wide support. But the health benefits of soyfoods include more than just their anti-cancer powers.

Soyfoods have been recognized as a good source of high-quality protein and as a protein source that comes without the health-threatening package of saturated fat and cholesterol found in most animal protein foods.

Soybeans directly affect bone health because the type of protein in soybeans spares calcium in the body and because they contain chemicals that act directly on bones to slow their breakdown. Another advantage to consuming soybeans is that they offer a source for calcium.

Adding soy products to the diet is one way to guard against heart disease and is an option that is available to anybody.

Soyfoods are not a miracle food. They will not automatically prevent you from ever developing a disease. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a miracle food. Good health depends on a whole package of factors that include many different aspects of diet and lifestyle. Eating a low-fat, fiber-rich plant-based diet is the smartest place to start.