Doctors say that eating soy foods is healthy for the body and helps protect the heart.
Recently, a study has shown that eating soy products once a week reduces the risk of heart attack by 17% and the risk of stroke by 18%.
A daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein is said to help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Some people are allergic to soy foods as they can also affect the hormone levels of people with thyroid problems or hormone-sensitive cancers.
Heavily processed soy products, such as soy protein isolate, are found in some protein bars and juices.
Doctors say that eating soy foods is healthy for the body and helps protect the heart. Recently, a study has shown that eating soy products once a week reduces the risk of heart attack by 17% and the risk of stroke by 18%. Famous nutritionist Subha Ramesh explains that the phytoestrogens present in soy have heart-healthy properties. It improves the functioning of arteries and lowers blood pressure. A daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein is said to help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies suggest that it can be useful to some extent.
How much soy should you eat?
Eating soy products once a week is not enough, if we want to get the desired benefits. Studies show that consuming at least 25 grams of soy protein daily can bring the expected benefits. For this, we need to consume two servings of soy foods. A cup of soy milk and tofu or tempeh will give us the desired benefits. The benefits of soy protein depend on diet and lifestyle. Depending on a person’s genetic factors, one cannot be sure that everyone will get the same benefits. Soluble fibre such as oats and barley, and healthy fats like nuts and olive oil, on the other hand, are very beneficial for lowering cholesterol and improving heart health. In fact, these foods have more benefits than soy.
Everyone should be aware of the dangers of consuming too much soy in the diet. Some people are allergic to soy foods as they can also affect the hormone levels of people with thyroid problems or hormone-sensitive cancers. In moderation, it is safe for most people.
Heavily processed soy products, such as soy protein isolate, are found in some protein bars and juices. They do not have the same benefits as whole soy foods. It is not safe to eat because it is made with additives and chemicals to prevent it from spoiling.
“Other human and animal studies on isoflavones, tofu, and cardiovascular risk markers have also shown beneficial effects, so people at increased risk for heart disease should review their diet,” said the study’s lead author, Dr Qi Sun, in a press release. Sun is a research scientist at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston.
