An Unbiased Opinion?
Before you come down on either side, it’s important to remember that, as with many issues, people will have their own agenda; every study is funded by a party with a vested interest in the results. The big soya companies (many of whom advocate genetic modification) obviously want us to think of their product as a good purchase, and have very powerful lobby pushing for official endorsement of health claims. While on the other hand, equally powerful pharmaceutical companies are loathed to have any natural (and unpatentable) products reduce the need for drugs such as HRT. What with dairy producers, who certainly don’t want trends to shift from milk to soya – there is little room for unbiased research and information.
Hormonal Superfood
In the world of optimum nutrition though, soya is regarded a superfood, and indeed, many studies have shown it to be not just a valuable part of any healthy diet but also therapeutic in certain cases. Perhaps soya’s most widely known benefit is its effect on hormonal balance. It is one of the richest natural sources of isoflavonesIsoflavones are naturally occurring compounds – many act as phyto-oestrogens. An example of an isoflavone is Soya Isoflavones…., a type of phytoestrogen, or plant oestrogenOestrogen is one of the main female sex hormones….. Many hormonally-related problems such as premenstrual syndrome, polycystic ovaries, breast and prostate cancers are partly attributed to an increasing exposure to oestrogen-like, hormone-disrupting chemicals in our environment. Phytoestrogens are said to help to block the effect of any such excess oestrogen. This may initially seem contradictory, given that they are oestrogen-like, but this is how it works: phytoestrogens dock onto oestrogen receptor sites on cells, basically blocking out the stronger, more harmful, oestrogen-like substances.
At the same time, if a woman is actually low in oestrogen, such as during the menopause, they will actually act as a weak oestrogen, helping relieve her symptoms by increasing levels i.e. the phytoestrogens balance oestrogens, whether they are too high or too low. Soya is one of the richest source of phytoestrogens and countless studies have shown that eating soya or taking soya supplements can provide relief from menopausal symptoms and conditions caused by hormonal problems. Hormone balance is just one of the benefits of eating soya that is backed up by scientific evidence. Others are the lowering of cholesterol, reducing the risk of cancer and osteoporosis and helping athletes build muscle. There is a particularly strong link between protection from hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate and the inclusion of soya in the diet. Soya is a rich source of nutrients: proteinProteins are large molecules consisting of chains of amino acids. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body – they are a building block of… (like animal and fish protein, it contains all eight amino acidsAmino acids are commonly known as the building blocks of protein. There are 20 standard amino acids from which almost all proteins are made. Nine…), calciumWhat it does: Promotes a healthy heart, clots blood, promotes healthy nerves, contracts muscles, improves skin, bone and dental health, relieves aching muscles and bones,…, ironWhat it does: As a component of red blood cells, iron transports oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from cells. Also vital for energy production…., zincWhat it does: Component of over 200 enzymes in the body, essential for growth, important for healing, controls hormones, aids ability to cope with stress…, omega 6 fats, lecithin, vitamin EWhat it does: Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage, including against cancer. Helps body use oxygen, preventing blood clots, thrombosis, atherosclerosis. Improves wound… and isoflavones.
So Where’s the Drawback?
Given all these good points, it may be difficult to imagine that soya has any enemies. The truth is...
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