The Myths Surrounding Soy: Part 2

by Shereen Jegtvig

With my last post, I was able to *burst the bubble* surrounding a couple of myths regarding the humble soyabean.  While a few people may be allergic or sensitive to soy, the vast majority of people enjoy some terrific health benefits associated with eating soyfoods. It is well documented that soy based foods are a terrific source of protein that’s low in fat – and of the fat that it does contain, most of it is considered good for you!! So let’s take a look at a couple more myths surrounding soy and soyfoods.

Some of the soy myths revolve around protein inhibitors found in soy and other legumes.  Some claim that eating soy will damage your pancreas and make it larger. Apparently the fear is that the protein inhibitors prevent your body from breaking down and digesting proteins, so the pancreas has to work overtime to make enough enzymes to digest proteins.  There aren’t any studies that back up this claim.  For one thing, if the protein inhibitors prevented you from digesting protein, you’d think it would be difficult to digest the protein in soy, but that’s just not the case, soy protein is very easy to digest.  Also, any kind of cooking or preparation of soy destroys almost all of those protein inhibitors long before you even eat the soy. Read more

Possibly Related Posts:

• Lower Cholesterol Through Diet
• Mexican Foods – Ready To Go
• Research: Orange Juice – What people are looking for
• Choosing Canned Meat
• The Goodness of Grapes

The Myths Surrounding Soy: Part One

by Shereen Jegtvig

It’s interesting how one food can stir up so much controversy. I get a lot of emails asking about the dangers of eating soy. Dangers of soy? A food that’s been eaten for thousands of years? You’ll also find soy on a lot of superfoods lists. How can that be?

Let me help debunk the soy myths.

Soy isn’t dangerous for your health. In fact, soy and soyfoods are good for you. Studies show soy can reduce cholesterol levels, which improves your heart health, and soy protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids (rare for a plant protein). Soy also contains phytoestrogens (plant chemicals similar to, but not the same as, female hormones) that help many women ease the discomforts of menopause. More studies suggest eating soy and soyfoods during childhood may reduce the risk of breast cancer in adulthood. Read more

Possibly Related Posts:

• Lower Cholesterol Through Diet
• Mexican Foods – Ready To Go
• Research: Orange Juice – What people are looking for
• Choosing Canned Meat
• The Goodness of Grapes