Soy's protein is complete, its oil does not promote atherosclerosis and it is cholesterol-free. Soy is a good source of several vitamins, minerals and fiber. It also contains natural substances called phytochemicals which may be responsible for many of the health benefits. The interest in soy's role in health comes from observing cultures where soy is the main source of protein. People in Asian countries have lower rates of heart disease, some kinds of cancer and osteoporosis.
Asian women report fewer menopause symptoms.
Recent studies suggest that soy may be responsible for some of these positive impacts. While much of the research on soy has focused on specific compounds, the effect of the phytochemicals working together is likely to be greater than that of any individual compound. Eating whole soyfoods provides the benefits of all the healthful compounds. Until we know more, enjoying soyfoods can be an important step toward a healthy diet. Here are some ideas for putting more soy into your diet.