Studies have shown that in type II hyper cholesterolemia patients already on low lipid, low cholesterol diets, substitution of animal protein by soyabean protein for 8 weeks reduced plasma cholesterol by 23% – 25%. The people now readily accept that plant foods contain a host of biologically active components called phytochemicals, which improve health and reduce risk of diseases in number of ways.
Soya foods lowers blood cholesterol, relaxes constipation, are good for diabetics, prevent cardio-vascular diseases, promotes overall health, prevent cancer, helpful in menopausal problems and osteoporosis etc.
Health benefits identified from regular use of properly processed soyabean in daily diet are :
⦁ Improves heart health by lowering blood cholesterol :
Soyabeans have a nutrient profile for heart health and have other properties that may help lower risk of heart disease. The FDA of USA has approved in 1999 the health claim about the role of soya protein in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on the labeling of foods containing soya protein. Soya protein lowers the total and LDL cholesterol levels. Soya foods are excellent choice for a heart healthy diet. Soya oil provides the plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, ALA, while fish oil contains the marine-derived omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These omega 3 fatty acids improve heart function by providing greater variability between beats, thus reducing the risk of arrhythmia or sudden death. Soya in the diets will have significant reduction in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Not only the total blood cholesterol is significantly lowered but the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) are also significantly increased. Soya protein can reduce high blood cholesterol levels by 10% to 15%, enough to cut the chance of a heart attack by upto 30%.
⦁ Helpful in conditions of diarrhoea and constipation :
Soyabean fibre may also be able to reduce symptoms of diarrhoea and constipation in sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome. For more details see serial no. (viii) regarding protection against cancer.
⦁ Controls blood sugar levels :
There is some evidence that Soya foods may help with blood sugar control in diabetic persons. Legumes, especially soyabean have a very low glycemic index and are valuable to be included in a diet for diabetic persons. Blood sugar control may also be improved by choosing carbohydrates that are high in soluble fibre and supplemental soya fibre does this job since soyabeans contain soluble fibre which help lower serum cholesterol and control blood sugar. It helps in slow absorption of sugar. The protein in soyabean is excellent for diabetic patients who tend to have problems with animal source of protein. The protein and fibre in soyabean can also prevent high blood sugar levels and help in keeping blood sugar levels under control.
⦁ Helps against renal damages :
Soya may also help lower risk of complications such as kidney diseases. In kidney diseases, a soya based diet may be preferable to the traditional low protein diet for decreasing the renal damage. Soya provides high quality protein without stimulating hyper filtration and protein urea, which cause kidney damage by lowering serum LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels.
⦁ Helps reduce calorie intake and obesity :
Substitution of soya protein for a protein source of animal origin can result in reduction of calorie. Soya protein concentrate and soya protein isolate are reported to have 330 cal. per 100 gram. The soya based diet thus lowers the incidences of obesity. Active isoflavone compounds found in soya, specially genistein, may help us stay lean by causing the body to produce fewer and smaller fat cells..
⦁ Helps in cases of lactose intolerance :
Soyabean also has functional health benefits especially to those who suffer from lactose intolerance. Since soyabean does not contain lactose, soya foods and soya based food products can serve as a balanced and remedial substitute of diary milk for lactose intolerant persons.
This condition arises mainly due to lack of beta galactosidase, the enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose in the intestine. The lactose, in turn, is degraded by the colonic bacteria into acid and carbon dioxide causing gastric discomfort such as flatulence, bloating, belching and diarrhoea..
⦁ Prevents Menopausal disorders and osteoporosis :
The harmonal changes that occur during menopause can cause a variety of symptoms and increase risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. During pre-menopause, women experience fluctuations in estrogen levels. This can cause hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness and headache. Harmonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed to help prevent the negative health effects of menopause. However, many women do not want to take HRT because of the possible increased risk of breast cancer. Soya foods, which contain isoflavones may decrease the health risks associated with menopause. They may also lower the rates of osteoporosis. After about the age of about 30 years, bones stop growing and absorb less calcium. There is decrease in bone formation and increase in bone breakdown. It becomes more important than ever to maintain levels of calcium in bones. Soya foods such as fortified soya milk, textured soya protein and tofu made with calcium salt are all good calcium sources which the body easily absorbs. Although osteoporosis can affect anyone, it is most common in older women who have gone through menopause and have decreased esterogen levels. Esterogen protects bone strength. So, women who have gone through menopause are more likely to lose bone strength. Isoflavones, found in soya protein may also play an important role in protecting bones.
⦁ Protects against cancer :
Research shows that a serving of 25 gram of soya protein food per day reduces the risk of many types of cancer by as much as 40% – 50%.
Soya foods contain anticarcinogens that may prove protective. They lower the incidences of breast, prostate and colon cancers. Soya foods and soya products are amazingly versatile and easily incorporated into varied diets. The fibre in soyabeans also provides preventive therapy for several other conditions. Fibre is able to bind to cancer causing toxins and remove them from the body, so that they can’t damage colon cells. High fibre soyabeans may be able to help reduce the risk of colon cancer since soyabeans are an excellent source of dietary fibre with both soluble and insoluble fibres. Soluble fibres help lower serum cholesterol and control blood sugar whereas insoluble fibre increases stood bulk and prevents colon cancer.
In fact, areas of the world where soyabean are consumed regularly, rates of colon cancer, as well as some other cancers, including breast cancer, tend to be low. One reason may be that soya foods are rich in compound called phytochemicals i.e. isoflavones, may fight cancer in a variety of ways. Isoflavones are found in significant amounts only in soyabean and in soya foods, such as tofu, soya milk, tempeh (soya cake) and textured soya protein.
⦁ Helpful for infants allergic to cow’s milk :
Soya is much less allergenic than many commonly consumed foods. Soya based infant formulas have been used for decades to feed infants allergic to protein present in cow’s milk. Soya milk is equivalent to cow’s milk in digestibility, nutrition profile, acceptability and promotes normal growth, nutritional status and bone mineralization.
⦁ Damages free radicals in the body :
Oxidative damage is often the result of high levels of unhealthy free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause unhealthy effects to body cells and are a natural byproduct of body metabolism. Getting enough antioxidants in your diet to promote healthier tissues is essential to reduce the unwanted effects of these free radicals. Soya based foods protect against the free radicals. Less Details