Europe is the principal market for U.S. whole soybeans export, while Japan is the largest single country customer. Soybeans are the only vegetable food that contain protein makeup which is considered to be nutritionally complete. Soybeans also serve as an important source of nutrition in animal feed. Soybean seed is processed into a variety of protein fractions used for human consumption. Soybean food products include baked goods, confections, meat products, textured foods and nutritional supplements.
Soybeans are also an important source of dietary fiber and contain a relatively high oil content.
Soybean oil is used extensively in the fod industry in products such as cooking oil and salad dressing. Lecithin, extracted from soybean oil, is a natural emulsifier and lubricant used in everything from pharmaceuticals to protective coatings. In recent years, researchers, nutritionists and physicians have recognized the significant health and nutritional benefits of a diet containing soybean based food products. Researchers are studying soybeans for their potential to lower cholesterol, fight cancer and build healthy bones. The best available evidence, accumulated over the last 25 years, indicates soy s ability to lower cholesterol.