Soya Later
Soy, it’s good for you, right? The truth is there are two sides to the soy debate. On one side the never ending benefits of how amazing soy is and on the other how soy could potentially be harmful.
What’s the complete story? Does it really matter? If there are 2 sides to soy and both sides have compelling evidence then is it worth the risk? Do the health benefits out way the risk and vise versa?
Why take the risk when you can achieve the same benefits claimed by soy products from other natural sources.
For example a few claimed benefits of soy are:
It’s high in protein, benefits to cardiovascular health, decrease the risk of some cancers, low in saturated fats and cholesterol. These are clearly benefits that can be gained through consuming other natural nutrient rich foods.
The claimed risks of soy are known to be:
Possibly increases the risk of breast cancer
Possibly alters a woman’s menstrual cycle due to it containing a chemical that mimics estrogen
Potentially reduces fertility in men
Contains phytic acid which may block the absorption of certain minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc
Contain hemagglutinin, a substance which causes red blood cells to clump together
Are all soy products the same?
Fermented soy found in the form of miso, soy sauce and tempeh are said to be a safe form of soy as the process of fermentation neutralises the toxins in soy beans. In the past soy beans were not consumed until the process of fermentation was discovered.
Asian cultures typically consume small amounts of soy. One of the biggest changes in western society and the use of soy is the variety of processed foods that soy is being used in. Soy is found in breakfast cereals, cheeses, ice cream, cakes, sauces, spreads, etc. This means that many people are consuming high levels of soy without realising it.
HERE is a great video of Ori Hofmekler author of The Anti Estrogenic Diet discussing Soy. This video is worth taking the time to watch.
The Truth
The truth is the research on both sides continues and although some of the benefits as well as hazards may be unfounded what is for sure is that the controversy continues.
It’s up to you to decided if soy is a product that you can live with or without.
If you don’t want to give up soy because you prefer it as a substitute for milk try some other delicious alternatives such as almond milk, rice milk, hazelnut milk and freshly pressed coconut milk.
Stay healthy!
ROCOFIT
