Soyabean - The master food

Soy has bean consumed by the asian populations for over 5000 years. The soyabean, a heartly and versatile legume, contains a wealth of beneficial ingredients. In adition to being a source of complete protein, comparable in quality to animal protein, soybeans are rich in other essential nutrients , including calcium , zinc, and many of the B vitamins. Soybeans are used to make a variety of food items including tofu , soymilk , textured soy protein and and soy protein powders.

Soybean contain unique compounds called isoflavones, which act as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant derived estrogens that are able to activate mammalian oestrogen receptors.

Vagetarians  and health enthusiasts have known for years that food rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat , poultry and other animal – based products. As consumers has pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years. Soy protein products can be good substitutes for animal products because , unlike some other beans , soy offers a complete protein profile. Soybeans contain all the amino acids essential to human nutrition, which must be supplied in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the human body. 

Scientists  agree  that food rich in soy protein can have considerable value to heart health. Soybean has loads of plant protein that enhances immunity and overcomes fatigue. Isoflavones in soy alleviates  menopausal syndrome and osteoporosis. its low fat content reduces blood cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart ailments. It is rich in fiber content , calcium , vit B12 and antioxidants that keeps your skin free from wrinkles.

Health banefits of soybean in differrent medical conditions :

• Soy protein in Cardiovascular Disease : -

cardiovascular disease (CVD)  is the leading cause of death in the world. Diet has a major impact on several modifiable risk factors for heart disease : hypercholesterolemia , hypertryglyceridemia  , elevated LDL cholesterol , low HDL cholesterol , hypertension , obesity and diabetes.

There is increasing evidence that consumption of soy protein in place of animal protein  lowers blood cholesterol level and may provide other cardiovascular banefits. Studies report that total and LDL cholesterol  reduces after the adition of  soy protein to a diet  and does not adversaly affect level of HDL , or “good” cholesterol , which at high levels has been associated with a reduction in heart disease risk . soy protein cantaining isoflavones, lowered cholesterol significantly more than soy protein without isoflavone in humans . cholesterol –lowering  effect  of soy protein is entirely due to isoflavones. However scientists found no changes in plasma lipid level in women consuming extracted soy isoflavones(without soy protein) , therefore both soy protein and isoflavones may be needed for the maximum cholesterol-lowering effect of soy. Soy protein with isoflavones also inhibits formation of atherosclerotic lesions in humans.

Considering the totality of research , daily consumption of 25 g of soy protein with its associated phytochemicals  infact  can improve lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic humans.  

It is important to note that consumption of soy protein does not appear to have hypocholesterolemic  effect in adults with low or normal cholesterol levels. therefore there is no need for concern that soy could cause dangerously low cholesterol level.

• Soybeans reduces the risk for cancers :-

Studies show that people who consume soy – based foods tend to have  a reduced risk of developing cancer of breast , prostate and stomach. High consumption of soy products  and other legumes was associated with a decreased  risk of endometrial cancer. Researchers has find cancer-fightening properties in soy. Cancers rely on blood flow to receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow . to ensure their expansion, cancer simulate the growth of new blood vessels , a process known as angiogenesis. Substances that can inhibit this process are considered anti-angiogenic.

The soy isoflavone genistein has also been shown to interfere with angiogenesis or it has anti-angiogenic properties. A study found that another soy isoflavone , daidzein, may reduce the risk of cancer by increasing the immune activity of T-cell lymphocytes and macrophages. There is substantial reduction in breast-cancer risk among women with a high intake  of phyto-estrogen. Scientists has identified five indivisual anticarcinogens in soybean. Protease inhibitor , phytate , phytosterols , isoflavones and genistein,  these all five phytochemicals  found in soybean have anticarcinogenic  properties.

•  Soyabean helps in menopausal hot flushes and increases bone density in womens :-

Hormone replacement  therapy (HRT) is considered as the most effective treatment for hot flushes , but effects of long term HRT increased the risk of breast cancer and thromboembolism.

Soy protein isolate added daily to the diet substantially reduced the frequency of hot flushes in climetric women. Soy in form of either isoflavone-rich protein or pure isoflavone supplements can reduce  menopausal hot flushes and increase bone density in women. Soy phytoestrogens also enhance bone and heart health, which are associated complication of menopause.

Early research findings indicate that soy phytoestrogens may have  a dual effect the antiestrogenic effects lower breast cancer risk in premenopausal women while the estrogenic effect  banefit the cardiovascular, bone and vasomotor systems in postmenopausal women.

Genistein exhibits estrogenic action in bone and bone marrow , to regulate B-lymphopoiests and prevent bone loss without exhibiting estrogenic  action in the uterus. phytoestrogens  may be useful for preventing bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in female.

Higher bone mineral density total and trabecular was seen in premenopausal women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens.

• Soyabean – A healthy choice for disbetics :-

Diabetes is considered as the major lifestyle desease. there are two general categories of diabetes reffered to as  type 1 or type 2.  In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes risk for heart disease , hypertension , disorders of nervous system , blindness and kidney disease are elevated.

Research over the past 80 years has continued to support the banefits of substituting soy protein , for animal protein. in particular, research has focused on the role of soy in normalizing blood glucose, serving as a rich source of soluble fiber , reducing cholesterol levels and preventing  and treating  diabetic kidney disease.

First , a diet rich in soyfoods may help to normalize blood glucose. Soybeans are often described as having a low glycemic index . foods with low glycemic indices are recommended to diabetes patients in an effort to manage and control  their disease. In addition to having a low glycemic index, soyfoods are rich sources of fiber with 30% of this fiber appearing in the form of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber may help to control blood glucose level in both healthy and diabetic people. Soyfoods may help to prevent kidney damage by normalizing glomerular filtration rate  (GFR)  and protein excretion in the urine .