10/07/2023
5 Surprising Benefits of Soybeans
[Part 2]
3. May help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and chronic inflammation
Ms Amidor said two other conditions play an important role in heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
Chronic low-grade inflammation is a condition in which immune system cells overwhelm the body due to poor diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, and other lifestyle factors.
This secret attack can damage tissues, such as the lining of arteries, which can cause another "silent killer" - high blood pressure.
Both inflammation and high blood pressure can cause plaques to develop in the arteries that can rupture and cause blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes.
Two recent studies show that adding soy protein to the diet can reduce blood pressure and chronic inflammation.
4. Can strengthen your bones
As you age, your risk of osteoporosis increases.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, half of adults over the age of 50, about 54 million Americans (including men), are at risk of fracture due to low bone density.
Eating soy can help protect you from the risk of bone fractures.
"Isoflavones in soy foods have been linked to improved bone mineral density and prevention of osteoporosis-related bone loss, regardless of your weight," Manaker says, according to "Eat This, Not That!"
Isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen, a plant-based compound found in more soybeans and soy products than any other food.
5. May Protect Against Breast Cancer
High levels of estrogen have been linked to breast cancer.
For that reason, women with breast cancer undergoing hormone therapy were once asked to avoid eating soy products.
However, moderate soy consumption โ up to two servings of tofu, soy milk or edamame beans per day โ does not increase breast cancer risk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
And eating soy products may actually have a protective effect. A large study in the journal Cancer found that isoflavones, the main phytoestrogens in soy, were associated with a reduction in mortality not only from breast cancer but from all causes.
Another study published by the American Association for Cancer Research in 2022 found that soy may protect young girls from developing breast cancer later in life, Amidor said.
The study looked at the diets of 329 girls from puberty until 2 years after their first menstrual period and found an inverse association between soy consumption and absolute fibroblast mass, which is a marker of a reduced risk of breast cancer, according to "Eat This, Not That!"