According to the National Institutes of Health, soy is considered a safe food to consume as part of a balanced diet for individuals that do not have a soy allergy. Soy is considered a quality plant-based protein in that it contains all nine essential amino acids our body requires, which are needed for protein muscle synthesis. Soy may also reduce LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, especially when replacing red meat in the diet. Soy contains phytoestrogens that have a molecular structure similar to that of estrogen, which has raised concerns about the safety of soy consumption, particularly for men. High intakes of phytoestrogen compounds may result in higher estrogenic activity, but the overall effects that activity has on the human body are inconclusive in current research.