Say Yes to Soy

Soy is a rich source of high quality protein, fiber, and 12 essential nutrients. However, there has been much debate over this near-perfect food making it one of the most widely studied foods on earth. In years past, soy products were thought to increase breast cancer and cause adverse hormonal effects on men. In recent years, scientists have demonstrated this not to be true. In fact, new studies are indicating soy products may be linked to either decreased reoccurrence of breast cancer or decreased deaths in women with breast cancer. For years, soy has been a staple in many Asian countries where chronic disease rates are lower than in the U.S. Soy has been linked to enhanced bone health, reduced wrinkling, fewer hot flashes, heart health and cancer prevention. There are multiple ways soy may help the heart, including lowering blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Research also suggests that soy may help protect against certain cancers, such as prostate, breast, and lung cancer. Overall, soy is considered safe and a healthy food to choose. Soy products include tofu, soymilk, edamame, soy nuts, and tempeh. So next time you are looking for a healthy snack, try munching on soy nuts or edamame or replace chicken with tofu in your next stir-fry.