These include beans, peas, and lentils. Legumes are unlike other plant foods because they are high in protein, contain carbohydrates and fiber. As such, legumes are a healthy part of any diet, be it vegetarian or not. This means the moderate amount of soybean oil present in soybeans is heart-friendly. Since soybeans contain protein, their amino acid composition is superior to other beans.
Soybeans also supply all eight essential amino acids needed by humans.
They have been shown to protect against a range of diseases, including heart disease, osteoporosis and cancers. They are also known to relieve menopausal symptoms. When the body has a high level of estrogen, it can be at high risk for breast cancer. Studies of women eating soy foods regularly suggest a reduction to develop breast cancer. For example, women in Japan are four times less likely than women in the U.S. to develop breast cancer.