Soy may be so beneficial that it actually crosses the line from nutritional to medicinal.
Soy contains phytoestrogens, such as genistein, daidzein and glycitein.
Genistein, a powerful natural chemical unique to soy, converts cancer cells into normal cells and halts the cancer process by inhibiting key tumor-producing enzymes. Soy improves our quality of life. It has also been shown that cultures that consume a great deal of soy experience much less heart disease and osteoporosis. In Japan, where soy is typically eaten daily, breast cancer rates are one forth those of American women, and there is no Japanese word for hot flashes. Soy has the ability to lower cholesterol.