Are soybeans good for you?

[OceanAnnie]

I've been reading a lot of health related articles and books. From what I've read, soybeans are kind of controversial. Some of the books and articles I have read say they are extremely healthful and some say they can wreak havoc on a woman's hormones (estrogen) and can "potentiate" breast cancer. That's not they way they put it exactly, but it was the gist. It seems like for every good thing I've read about soybeans, there is something kind of questionable. Is there anything definitive?

I will say the articles and books I've read stated that it's the processed soybeans that a person has to watch out for.

I like soybeans. I'd like to find something definitive. What have you read and/or think about it?

 

[lodgelady]

I go to a chiropractor who is really into natural foods/healthy eating. She says exactly what you did, that the GMo (the plant genes have been altered) enhanced soybeans and corn that help farmers have not been studied long- term in humans. Also, large amounts of soy can mimick hormones. I am passing on what I have heard from her. To be fair, I have not done my own fact-finding. I will be interested in reading what others have to say here.

 

[JessicaR]

I avoid soy as much as possible. The reason for me is due to thyroid disease.
My surgeon told me years ago to avoid it at all costs.

Based on other findings especially the breast cancer link - I would avoid it anyway.

I used to go out of my way to get more in my diet!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I avoid soy as much as possible. The reason for me is due to thyroid disease.
My surgeon told me years ago to avoid it at all costs.

Based on other findings especially the breast cancer link - I would avoid it anyway.

I used to go out of my way to get more in my diet!

Same here both my endo and my surgeon said absolutely NOT after getting my thyroid out.

I have always wanted to try Soy Milk and a few other things, but I have to find another alternative, considering Almond Milk or Rice Milk. Must do some research on this.

 

[Christine]

I have casually read that soy is good for you when it is fermented. As you know, many Asian cultures make heavy use of soy but much of it has been fermented.

Read this article:http://www.naturalnews.com/025513_soy_food_soybeans.html

 

[bicker]

Nutritionist and lecturer Jeff Novick says the following:

1) Soy is not a miracle food and not a required food in the human diet or in a healthy diet.

2) If someone was to choose to consume soy, I recommend they avoid the highly processed form of soy and soy products including all of the soy pills, soy powders, soy chips, soy cookies, soy bars, soy supplements, soy burgers and all the soy meat substitutes, etc., etc. and instead focus on the least processed forms of soy. These would including edamame, tofu, tempeh and some soy milks.

3) I would also recommend that even these soy foods/products be thought of as a condiment at best and their intake limited to no more than a serving of these foods per day. Even better would be to limit their consumption to no more than the equivalent of three (to maybe five) servings per week. For reference, a serving is 4 oz of edamame, tofu or tempeh or 8 oz of soy milk.

4) For many of the potential benefits of the phytochemicals soy is promoted for, without the controversies, I would recommend the inclusion of at least a serving or two (or more) of other beans every day, including kidney beans, lima beans, lentils, black beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. Beans are one of the most nutrient dense foods, relatively low in calorie density and one of the foods that is most common to many of the long-lived populations around the world.

http://www.jeffnovick.com/RD/Newsletter/Entries/2008/2/21_Starchy_Foods,_AGEs_and_You!_2.html

 

[Poohforyou]

I've read what you have but the concern is more with processed soy being added to stuff. I avoid processed foods so that isn't a problem for me. I do eat edamame, occasionally have a Boca burger or tofu and I get soy milk in my Starbucks drinks because I hate cows milk but that's about it. Like with just about anything I think moderation is the key.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks for the articles. It's interesting.

I was looking for natural ways to build up my immune system (disease prevention) and soy was listed in several sources. I did take that to heart for a few weeks, but I kept reading. That's when I found conflicting information.

I came across some information about diet in general and eating meat that was startling. I'm reading a book now about the correlation between eating meat and cancer. The researcher started out as a farm boy. All of his ideas about nutrition were challenged while studying and trying to help children that were starving. So I am slowly cutting down on eating meat. And now soyburgers are off the menu.

 

[bicker]

So I am slowly cutting down on eating meat. And now soyburgers are off the menu.

I don't think I'll be giving up my new favorite, Grillers Prime burgers, anytime soon, but I also wouldn't be eating them every day.

One thing to consider is Seitan. It is almost a complete protein, lacking only lysine (which can be remedied by preparing it with lysine-rich foods). It is low in fat, cholesterol, and calories; and has no saturated fat. When cooked properly, it has the same texture as I recall from beef and broccoli dishes at local Chinese restaurants.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I don't think I'll be giving up my new favorite, Grillers Prime burgers, anytime soon, but I also wouldn't be eating them every day.

One thing to consider is Seitan. It is almost a complete protein, lacking only lysine (which can be remedied by preparing it with lysine-rich foods). It is low in fat, cholesterol, and calories; and has no saturated fat. When cooked properly, it has the same texture as I recall from beef and broccoli dishes at local Chinese restaurants.

Thanks. I'll look into it.

 

[shortbun]

I buy my soy products at Whole Foods-no GMO product there and they are organic. We eat edamame occasionally as a high protein, veggie with good fiber, that's about it. Once in a while, I eat a Luna bar which uses soy protein-again, no GMO content. I gave my son a soybased formula for about a year when he was a newborn because he seemed allergic to the cow's milk-had reflux and other symptoms. His hormonal system seems to be fine-no early development or other issues. This kind of stuff is why we use moderation in what we eat and eat locally or organic whenever it's rationally possible. I think moderation is the key here. We can use soy products like we eat red meat-a couple times a week- and be ok. I might restrict it for developing children and lactating moms.

 

[Bilberry]

You might look on paleo diet blog sights for information on the possible problems with soy and legumes overall. This is the diet that I follow, feel much better for doing so, and from what I've read:

http://thepaleodiet.blogspot.com/2009/11/paleo-diet-q-112709.html

Soy is not part of the Paleo Diet as soy is a bean/legume. Soy is a source of harmful substances, namely lectins, which could induce so-called leaky gut and low-grade inflammation.

Personally, I stay away from legumes due to a possible allergy to several of them. Soy and peanuts in particular are closely related from what I understand. Was happy to see though that a possible treatment for peanut allergies might have been developed. Would be nice if it is true.

"Will New Skin Patch Cure Deadly Peanut Allergy?"

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/29/new-skin-patch-cure-deadly-peanut-allergy/

 

[OceanAnnie]

I had a cancer scare. I'm not out of the woods because of my family history and they are "watching" things so to speak. I'm very concerned with the estrogen from soy. I'm concerned it could potentiate my condition.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks for the articles, Bilberry. I will read them.

For some reason, my posts are coming in out of order. Strange.

 

[bicker]

Another article:

Post written by Leo Babauta.

It’s one of those things that has spread on the Internet and unbelievably, has become accepted truth to many people: that soy is unhealthy, even dangerous.
I mention (to otherwise smart and informed people) that I drink soymilk sometimes, and a look of pity comes over their faces. ‘This guy doesn’t know the dangers of soy, and might get cancer, or worse … man ****s,’ they’re thinking.

Just about every fitness expert I read — people I respect and trust — says that soy is bad for you, from Tim Ferriss to the primal/paleo folk. I absolutely respect most of these guys and otherwise think their work on fitness-related matters is great. And yet, when I look for their sources on soy, often they don’t exist, and when they do, I can always trace them back to one place.

Seriously. I’ve never seen anyone cite a single peer-reviewed study that shows that soy is unhealthy. The only sources are the Weston A. Price Foundation, or other articles that use the Weston A. Price Foundation as a source.
Here’s the thing: the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) have been on a vendetta against soy (and on a campaign for meat and raw milk) for a couple decades now, and they have no solid evidence to back up their vendetta. They have lots of quasi-scientific evidence, lots of reasonable-sounding arguments, but if you look for solid proof, you won’t find any. They are not scientists, and have conducted no actual peer-reviewed studies of their own (that I know about).

I’m not going to tell you to fill your diet with soy. I eat it moderately, like anything else, but am not afraid of it. What I am going to do is clear up some myths, and challenge those who disagree with me to show actual peer-reviewed studies (not articles by WAPF or that cite WAPF as their source).

Full article: http://zenhabits.net/soy/

 

[HugsForEeyore]

It just blows my mind that soy is out of favor now. I did a lot of babysitting in the 90's, and just about every kid had soy formula. It was almost a status thing here in my area - if you kid was on soy formula, the prevailing attitude was that they would be healthier, slimmer, athletic, smarter, and go to an Ivy - aka "superior". The cows milk formula kids - well they would be fat, non-athletic, ugly, and the girls would have early puberty and breast cancer.

I am not even talking about allergies to cow's milk here - soy was seen as superior and was chosen for that reason. God help the parent who fed their kid cow's milk formula at a playgroup in front of other moms!

And now soy is seen as not healthy??? Wow.

Funny thing is, all these soy-formula kids are in high school or college now, and I see absolutely no difference between them and kids who had different formulas.

 

[JessicaR]

It just blows my mind that soy is out of favor now. I did a lot of babysitting in the 90's, and just about every kid had soy formula. It was almost a status thing here in my area - if you kid was on soy formula, the prevailing attitude was that they would be healthier, slimmer, athletic, smarter, and go to an Ivy - aka "superior". The cows milk formula kids - well they would be fat, non-athletic, ugly, and the girls would have early puberty and breast cancer.

I am not even talking about allergies to cow's milk here - soy was seen as superior and was chosen for that reason. God help the parent who fed their kid cow's milk formula at a playgroup in front of other moms!

And now soy is seen as not healthy??? Wow.

Funny thing is, all these soy-formula kids are in high school or college now, and I see absolutely no difference between them and kids who had different formulas.

My son was one of them - he is 18 now. He was switched due to allergies and spitting up. I don't have any idea if there is any bearing but he was the sickest kid growing up. Severe asthma, allergies, illnesses, pneumonia constantly. Thankfully he is a very healthy young adult now that drinks his weight in cow milk...