You may have heard about soy food and the various benefits it posses. It is believed that soy foods are helpful in preventing diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Read on for some facts.

What Is Soy?

Soy is a resourceful bean which is used mostly in Asia. It is found in foods like soy milk, soy sauce, miso which is a paste made of soybean, tempeh is a kind of soy cake, and tofu. Foods that contain whole soy are a good source of protein for vegetarians and vegans because they provide all the amino acids – a type of nutrient – that people need to stay healthy.

What Are the Benefits?

• Intake of soy lowers cholesterol and reduces a person’s risk of heart disease.
• Whole soy foods act as a great source of protein and contain other nutrients, such as fiber, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Foods containing soy protein are also a healthy substitute to meats and other animal products that have cholesterol and saturated fat.
• Soy foods contain antioxidants – compounds which protect cells from the damage caused by uneven oxygen molecules called “free radicals.” Free radicals are believed to be responsible for kicking off many forms of cancer as well as premature aging.
• Soy protein is better on the kidneys, which are the main filtering organ of the body. Soy is considered to be better than animal protein and may slow down or prevent kidney damage in people with impaired kidney function.
• Several studies have revealed that consumption of soy lowers the rate of lung cancer.