3 Benefits of Consuming Soybeans
Soybeans are a type of legume that has been used in Asian cuisines for thousands of years. In the last decade, they have gained popularity in the Western world thanks to their delicious taste and great nutrition profile.
There have been numerous studies on the health benefits of soybeans. Evidence has shown their ability to reduce menopausal symptoms, lower the risk of heart disease, and improve bone strength. When ethically sourced, the soybean value is enhanced and environmental impacts are minimized too.
In this article, we’re going to cover three of the many health benefits of soybeans and why you should consider adding more of them to your diet.
- Soybeans Are High in Plant-Based Protein
Soybeans are known as being one of the best forms of plant-based protein. For vegans or vegetarians who struggle to consume enough meat, soy products like tofu, tempeh, and soybean meal, are great options.
Soy is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the nine essential amino acids that your body cannot synthesize by itself. When your body has adequate amounts of every essential amino acid, it can constantly build new proteins for skeletal muscle tissue, skin cells, enzymes, and antibodies.
- Soybeans May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms
Menopause refers to the time in a woman’s life when the menstrual cycle comes to an end. It’s a long process that can take several years to complete and it often causes a range of negative symptoms, such as hot flushes, migraines, and mood swings.
The symptoms of menopause are caused by decreasing levels of estrogen in the body. It’s thought that soybeans can reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms thanks to their phytoestrogen contents.
Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are compounds that mimic estrogen and trick the body into thinking its estrogen levels are higher than they actually are. Isoflavone Clover Extract is now used as an estrogen supplement to treat hot flushes in menopausal women.
If you don’t want to take a supplement, adding more soybeans to your diet may alleviate your discomfort during menopause. Soy flour and soy nuts are two of the best sources of isoflavones.
- Soybeans May Lower the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
A diet that is rich in soy-based foods has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Estrogen may have cardioprotective effects, lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease during a woman’s reproductive years. Since soybeans mimic estrogen in the body, they can protect the heart and blood vessels.
Studies show that soybeans lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood, both of which have been closely linked to atherosclerotic disease. This is thought to be due to the high fiber content and low saturated fat content of soy products.
Whole soy products, such as soybeans, soymilk, and soy nuts appear to have the greatest cholesterol-lowering and heart-protecting effects.
