THE soybean is a legume native to East Asia, where the natives consumed it as a quintessential element of their diet for three to five millennia. However, soybean-based products spread beyond East Asia over time, and one statistical report ranks the US as the second soy producer and consumer after China.
Soy’s outstanding nutritional profile, featuring proteins, unsaturated fats, B-complex vitamins, and minerals, qualifies it as a superfood. However, soy remains controversial despite its nutritional profile, thanks to myths surrounding its effect on human health.
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So, are soy products harmful in any way? Keep reading to debunk popular but inaccurate soy-related myths.
1. Soy Is Not A Sustainable Source of Protein
As stated above, soybean has multiple nutritional benefits. However, it is most popular as an alternative protein source. Soybeans constitute 40% proteins, yet other plant-based and algae-based protein sources contain 20%-30% protein. Moreover, it is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.
One statistical survey report established that one in ten Americans is on a meat-free diet. Environmental concerns associated with animal protein sources are a primary reason for switching to a meat-free diet. Most individuals on a meat-free diet consider soybean a sustainable protein and take soy products like tofu and tempeh as tasty and nutritious meat alternatives.
However, a segment of the general population believes that soy cultivation generates greenhouse emissions harmful to the planet. Moreover, another ethical angle propagating the notion that soy is unsustainable is that soy cultivation facilitates deforestation and depletes water resources. Yet, most of it is animal fodder for the meat industry.
However, one study on producing 22 plant and animal sources established soy as the most efficiently-produced protein source. The report found that soy produces more protein per greenhouse gas emission than any other protein source. Therefore, soybean’s minimal carbon footprint qualifies it as a sustainable protein source.
2. Soy Causes Hormonal Imbalance In Men
Besides their nutrient content, soybeans have a high concentration of two primary phytochemicals, phytoestrogens and isoflavones. Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like (primary female hormone) compounds occurring naturally in certain plants. On the other hand, isoflavones have multiple benefits in the body, but they also mimic estrogen functions.
Consequently, a myth emerged that regularly consuming high quantities of soy products can cause hormonal imbalance in men, characterized by low testosterone and high estrogen levels, leading to feminization. Feminization is a condition characterized by breast enlargement, loss of muscle in men, and, in extreme cases, erectile dysfunction. It is a primary symptom of unregulated androgenous steroid use.
However, the contrary is true. One study review of 38 different studies concluded that the phytoestrogen and isoflavones in soybeans do not alter the sex hormones in either men or women in any way. The quantity and frequency of soybean production did not affect male sex hormone levels either.
3. Soy Consumption Can Cause Breast Cancer
Another myth keeping people from enjoying the soybean’s nutritional benefits is that the legume causes breast cancer. Breast cancer arises from breast cell mutations, although endogenous estrogen can cause the cancerous cells to multiply.
However, one prevalent myth about soy is that it causes breast cancer. According to one expert review, the myth arises from the fact that human and animal medical research results often differ. For example, the review highlights one study that concluded that the isoflavones in soy cause breast cancer in rodents, yet humans and rodent bodies process soy differently.
Subsequent studies have found no correlation between soy and breast cell mutation in humans. Moreover, one report showed that women from Asian counties where soy is a staple had a 59% lower risk of developing breast cancer, and experts credit the low risk to soy consumption in pre-teen and teenage years.
Also, one study showed that women with breast cancer who ate soy had a high cancer survival rate and low reoccurrence rate. Lastly, besides breast cancer, soy lowers the risk of another hormonal cancer, prostate cancer.
4. Soy Impedes Thyroid Function
Normal thyroid hormone function is essential in regulating metabolism and lowering the risk of metabolic diseases like obesity and type II diabetes. However, yet another misconception arising from the inconsistencies in human and animal studies is that the phytochemicals in soy trigger hyperthyroidism. However, one literature review concluded that collective findings do not present sufficient evidence that soy phytochemicals impede normal thyroid function.
5. Soy Causes Precocious (Early) Puberty
Some people believe that the phytoestrogen in soy hastens puberty for girls yet to reach their teenage years. Precocious puberty can trigger impeded physical development and psychological problems. However, one study failed to establish a link between precocious puberty and childhood soy consumption.
Conclusion:
The myths surrounding soy and its purported adverse health effects position soy as a controversial nutrient source. However, the above evidence debunks those myths, positioning soy as a superfood with outstanding health benefits.
