Soybeans are present in many Asian dishes and have gained popularity in the West as more people turn to a plant-based diet. They offer numerous health benefits and are cheaper than meat.
However, you may have heard concerns about soybeans being linked to cancer risks or having a “feminizing” effect on men.
Soybeans are rich in B vitamins, fiber, minerals, and many other nutrients – (Image: PIXABAY).
Ms. Karen Murphy, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of South Australia, has specifically researched this issue. According to her, most studies indicate that consuming moderate amounts of soybeans is not harmful and can even be beneficial for health.
Can Soybeans “Feminize” Men?
“It is unlikely,” Ms. Murphy responded.
Soybeans are high in quality protein and contain B vitamins, fiber, minerals, and isoflavones such as daidzein, genistein, and glycitein.
Some studies have raised concerns about this food potentially causing “feminization” in men. However, this is only associated with individuals who consume excessively high amounts of soy.
For example, there was an unusual case reported of a man experiencing breast “feminization” (gynaecomastia), and the fact is that he had consumed nearly 3 liters of soy milk per day prior to this.
Is There a Cancer Risk Associated with Soybeans?
A study involving 73,223 Chinese women over more than 7 years showed that those who consumed large amounts of soybean-containing foods continuously during their teenage and adult years had a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer.
Ms. Murphy believes that there is no significant correlation between soybean consumption and postmenopausal breast cancer.
Some animal trials and cell studies indicate that very high doses of isoflavones or isolated soy protein may stimulate breast cancer growth. However, this is not clearly demonstrated in human trials.
A study in Japanese men indicated that consuming large amounts of miso soup (1-5 bowls per day) could increase the risk of stomach cancer (miso soup, also known as “miso shiru,” is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of a broth called dashi cooked with miso paste and various other ingredients such as tofu and seaweed).
However, the authors also noted: “We believe that some other components in miso soup may also play a role. For example, the high salt concentration in miso soup may also increase the risk of stomach cancer.”
Soybeans are not the main ingredient in miso soup – (Image: PIXABAY)
Do Soybeans Affect Heart Health?
Soybeans contain isoflavones, healthy fats such as unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in saturated fats.
According to scientists, replacing meat with soy products can reduce the amount of saturated fat you consume while enhancing the absorption of essential nutrients.
A study involving nearly half a million healthy Chinese adults found that those who consumed soybeans 4 days or more per week had a lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who never ate soy.
Replacing red meat with soy products may also help reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
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Moderation is Key If you want to incorporate soybeans into your diet, opt for pure soy products such as calcium-rich soy milk, tempeh, soybean bread, and tofu. |
