Soy...friend or foe?
Bite This: According to www.agricorner.com, soybeans are the second largest crop in the US and worth 31.8 billion yearly to our economy.
Soybeans are praised for their potential to help reduce the risk of heart disease. They contain an abundant amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and contain flavanoids called isoflavones. However, there are a lot of controversial discussions surrounding the health benefits of soy foods.
Soybeans role in breast cancer is less defined. The structure of isoflavones is similar to that of estrogen and therefore able to bind to estrogen receptors. This is a concern in particular because it has been shown that a higher consumption of estrogen may lead to breast cancer.
To add to the confusion, Asian women -who consume an abundant amount of soy - have a reduced prevalence of breast cancer. However, Asian women consume natural sources of isoflavones found in tempeh, tofu, and miso whereas Westerners consume soy from highly processed foods including soy bars and meat substitutes. Asian women also consume soy foods starting at a young age, prior to puberty, whereas Western women typically do not. This leaves us wondering how exactly soy affects estrogen and the risk of breast cancer. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence to tell women who are consuming soy to stop eating it and there is not enough evidence to say whether or not soy has a protective factor against developing breast cancer if consumed early in life.
Again, and what is turning out to be the theme of this blog, is moderation. If you are a woman who consumes whole soy foods such as edemame, soy milk or soy yogurt there is no reason to stop. However, if you are consuming isoflavones from processed soy found in meat substitutes, protein bars and other processed foods, it may be wise to eat this in moderation.
Sound bite: Read the ingredients in some processed food that you consume this week. See if it has soy in it...you'll be surprised at how many foods do contain processed soy.
Soybeans are praised for their potential to help reduce the risk of heart disease. They contain an abundant amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants and contain flavanoids called isoflavones. However, there are a lot of controversial discussions surrounding the health benefits of soy foods.
Soybeans role in breast cancer is less defined. The structure of isoflavones is similar to that of estrogen and therefore able to bind to estrogen receptors. This is a concern in particular because it has been shown that a higher consumption of estrogen may lead to breast cancer.
To add to the confusion, Asian women -who consume an abundant amount of soy - have a reduced prevalence of breast cancer. However, Asian women consume natural sources of isoflavones found in tempeh, tofu, and miso whereas Westerners consume soy from highly processed foods including soy bars and meat substitutes. Asian women also consume soy foods starting at a young age, prior to puberty, whereas Western women typically do not. This leaves us wondering how exactly soy affects estrogen and the risk of breast cancer. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence to tell women who are consuming soy to stop eating it and there is not enough evidence to say whether or not soy has a protective factor against developing breast cancer if consumed early in life.
Sound bite: Read the ingredients in some processed food that you consume this week. See if it has soy in it...you'll be surprised at how many foods do contain processed soy.
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