SOYBEANS AND SOY PRODUCTS

The soybean was called "the miracle bean" by the ancient Chinese.  And indeed it seems they knew what they were talking about.  Soy products, which come from the soybean, are quite popular in our grocery stores and restaurants today and they are known for their health benefits.  A popular form of soybeans widely available today is edamame.

The soybean is the highest of all beans in an anticancer compound known as 'protease inhibitors'.  These compounds have been shown in studies to retard cancer, lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

Today it is easy to include soy beans and other soy products in your diet.  They can be used in everything from salad toppings to snacks, side dishes to entrees, and even in our beverages and desserts.  Are you including soy products in your diet?

 

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SOME BENEFITS OF EATING SOY

 Following are some facts about the benefits of soy in your diet:

• Aaron Tabor, M.D., nutrition researcher and author of The Revival Slim and Beautiful Diet states that soy is rich in isoflavones, plant compounds that increase the production of skin-firming collagen. Studies have shown around 63% of women see improvement in skin tone and texture when they add soy to their diets.
• According to researchers at John Hopkins University, a daily dose of soy can cut ones breast cancer risk by 15%. Warning, this is only effective when your soy comes from food and not supplements! Soy contains mild estrogen-like compounds that block the effects of a woman's stronger, more damaging estrogens.
• Need to kick start weight loss? Adding soy to your diet can restart weight loss in as little as three days according to researchers at the University of Illinois. Soy is packed with proteins that stimulate body cells to burn fat.

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THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT EDAMAME

Edamame is soybeans and carry the benefits of soy. But here are a couple of things you may not have known about edamame that could be helpful.

• Edamame is an anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is one of the worst things in the body as it can cause or worsen so many illnesses. Add some edamame to your diet especially if you suffer from inflammation. One easy way to eat edamame is to use it as a salad topping.
• Edamame can help to jumpstart the immune system. One study a few years ago found that soybeans kept cancer from developing in animals that had been exposed to carcinogens. Their isoflavones acted like roadblocks, starving cancer cells by preventing the formation of new blood vessels.

If edamame is not currently a part of your diet, I would suggest adding it.

 

ADD EDAMAME TO SALADS

You can add more protein, fiber, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C to your diet by simply adding edamame to your salads.  Edamame (soybeans) contains 8 grams of protein, 4 grams fiber, a little more iron than a 4-oz chicken breast, and around 10% of your daily requirement of vitamins A & C per 1/2 cup.  What a tasty and easy way to add these essentials to your diet!

SOY PROTEIN AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

It seems soy protein has a lasting beneficial effect on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys of persons diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, patients who ate soy protein showed significantly lower levels of fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides.  The study also found that C-reactive protein levels, which signal inflammation in the body, were lowered along with other indicators of kidney disease.

If you aren't currently eating soy protein, you need to add it to your diet!  Don't know what to include?  Try tofu, soy milk, soy burgers, edamame, etc.

 

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