However, unlike other beans and legumes, soybeans themselves are rarely used as a food. Instead, the beans are processed into a variety of products. In recent years, however, the soy industry has created a variety of products that mimic dairy foods and meats, which are growing in popularity. But it is as a food, or food additive, that the use of soy can affect your health. Soy products have been a traditional part of the diets of Eastern cultures for centuries.
Some people believe that the use of soy has played a role in disease prevention.
However, when sampling traditional dishes from countries like China, Japan and Indonesian, soy products actually only make up a small portion of the traditional diet of those countries. In fact, the typical Eastern diet is quite balanced, including vegetables, whole grains and lean meats as well as moderate amounts of soy. The protein found in soy products is nearly as complete as the protein found in meats, which is why soy products are popular meat substitutes among those on a vegetarian diet. It is also low in fat, making it a favorite among dieters. However, soy also contains a number of antinutrients that have been linked in some studies to everything from malnutrition to leukemia.