The Truth About Soy Products
Soy products, such as soy milk and tofu burgers, are popular alternatives among vegetarians and even some meat lovers. But it seems like the media is constantly torn between claims that soy is good for you and the idea that it can cause health problems. So what is the truth behind soy?
Soy has a lot of nutritional benefits including the fact that it is a good source of protein, making it a decent meat substitute for vegetarians and a heart healthy alternative for some meats that are high in saturated fats. Foods made primarily of soy can also be high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nutrients like potassium and vitamin B are abundant in soy products.
However, some health gurus will tell you that soy has become known as a health food only due to clever marketing schemes. The Paleo Diet Lifestyle discourages against eating any soy products, as it is thought to interfere with the body's hunger signals, making you think you are hungry more often than you actually are, inhibit thyroid function and effect estrogen levels in both men and women. The Weston A. Price Foundation says that soy processing can result in toxic lysinoalanine and carcinogenic nitrosamines to form.
The bottom line - there are a lot of reports backed by scientific research that soy is good for you, but there are at least just as many reports that it is bad. Harvard School of Public Health simply suggests mixing up your protein sources whether you are a vegetarian or not. This way you can get a variety of foods in your diet and ensure that your body receives all of the amino acids it needs. Consider eating soy in moderation until researchers can agree on the long term effects, and read up on soy research to consistently stay in the loop.
