Soya and soya products tend to receive a bad rap in the media. Health claims about soya are sometimes over inflated more than necessary and don’t paint the full picture. Let’s look at five of the most commonly discussed now in Top 5 Soya Health Claims!
1. Soya is a source of complete protein
Fact. All essential amino acids found in the soya protein and soya products are as good a source of complete protein as animal protein in eggs or milk. This means that soya can be included in a healthy diet to make it more varied.
2. Soy foods contain phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are compounds similar to estrogen, female hormones. Risk of cancer is often mentioned when phytoestrogens are discussed. However, current evidence suggests that a diet containing naturally occurring phytoestrogens is safe and that eating soya foods in moderation is not harmful even in cancer survivors.
3. Soya can trigger allergic reactions
Fact. Soya is one of the most common allergens in foods. If you think you might not tolerate soya products like tofu or tempeh, the answer is simple – just avoid them. Also, being more cautious while reading the labels is key. The food labels in the UK are required by law to list the allergens in the products.
4. Soya milk is an alternative to dairy-free milk
Because allergy to milk is more common than to soya it would make sense to substitute with plant-based milk alternatives such as soya milk. Soya milk is usually enriched with vitamin B12 and calcium and can supplement a diet lacking in these nutrients.
5. Genetically modified soya is harmful
Changing the DNA of a plant can change its properties and be potentially harmful to health. The only way to avoid genetically modified food is to be aware – read the label or try to buy organic to avoid it! Food produced from genetically modified soya beans is under legal requirement to be labelled so.
Soya foods are generally frowned upon in the media but that’s not the most helpful approach. They can form part of a well-balanced diet. Choosing fermented soy products to replace animal products in a meal introduces variety in the diet which can be a part of culinary journey into less familiar foods. Who’s up for some tempeh stir-fry for dinner then? What have your experiences with soya been (or bean) so far? Let us know below or at KeepfitKingdom !
