Soy is a herbaceous plant of the legume family, which today is common in many countries of the world. Soy and its derivatives are especially held in high esteem in the diet of vegetarians, because it is rich in proteins (about 40%), which makes it an excellent substitute for meat or fish.

It is used in the production of chocolate, biscuits, pasta, sauces, cheese and many other products. However, this plant is considered one of the most controversial products, as there is still no consensus among doctors and nutritionists about the benefits and harms of soy.

Some argue that this product has an exceptionally beneficial effect on the human body, while others try to give facts that indicate the ability of a plant to cause enormous harm to a person. It is quite difficult to answer unambiguously whether soy is healthy or harmful, because it has a wide variety of properties. However, in this article we will help you understand how this controversial plant affects the human body and let the consumer decide for himself whether to consume soy or not.

Benefits of soy
One way or another, soy is characterized by an abundance of valuable properties and nutritional components that are indispensable for the body.

It is one of the best sources of protein among plant products. Soy contains approximately 40% proteins, which are no worse than animal protein in structure. Thanks to this, soybeans are included in their diet by vegetarians and people who have allergic reactions to animal protein and are lactose intolerant;
Helps to lose weight. Regular consumption of soybeans leads to active burning of fats in the liver and improvement of fat metabolism. This property of soy provides the lecithin contained in it. Dietary soy is also considered because it is low in calories and at the same time saturates the body, allowing a person to feel full for a long time. It should be noted that lecithin also has a choleretic effect;
Removes excess cholesterol from the body. This is facilitated by the same lecithin. But to achieve the desired effect of vegetable protein contained in soy, you need to consume at least 25 grams per day, which is quite a lot. To lower cholesterol, it is recommended to use soy protein powder in combination with oatmeal or skimmed milk. Stable and long-term maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels, a small amount of saturated fats, supplying the body with polyunsaturated fats, fibers, minerals and vitamins reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and many other cardiac diseases. Prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases, and also improve the effectiveness of their treatment and phytic acids, which are rich in soybeans. Therefore, this plant is recommended during the recovery period after myocardial infarction, with hypertension, coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis;
Prevents cancer. The rich composition of the product of vitamins A and E, which have an antioxidant effect on the body, as well as isoflavones, phytic acids and genestin, allows soy to prevent the development of cancer cells. By prolonging the menstrual cycle and reducing the release of extragen into the blood, this plant contributes to the effective prevention of breast cancer in women. Genestin is able to stop the development of various cancers in the early stages, such as ovarian, prostate, endometrial or colon cancer. Phytic acids, in turn, neutralize the growth of malignant tumors. Soy isoflavones are known as an analogue of the abundance of chemicals created for the treatment of cancer. However, unlike them, this substance is not dangerous with side effects;
Reduces the symptoms of menopause. Especially during the period of hot flashes and osteoporosis, with which menopause is often associated. Soy saturates a woman’s body with calcium and estrogen-like isoflavones, the level of which drops during menopause. All this greatly improves the condition of the woman;
Gives strength to young men. Soybeans are excellent sources of protein with anabolic amino acids, which significantly reduce the breakdown of proteins contained in the muscles. Soy phytoestrogens help athletes increase muscle mass;
Promotes the treatment and restoration of brain cells and nervous tissue. Lecithin and its constituent choline, which are part of the plant, provide full concentration, improve memory, thinking, sexual functions, motor activity, planning, learning and many other functions, that a person needs for a successful life. Moreover, these components help with the following diseases:
Diabetes;
Diseases associated with aging (Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease);
Diseases of the liver, gallbladder;
Arteriosclerosis;
Glaucoma;
Memory disorders;
muscular dystrophy;
Premature aging.
Helps in the prevention and treatment of gallstones, kidney stones, and liver diseases. These properties of soy provide the previously mentioned phytic acids;
It is indicated for use in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as arthrosis and arthritis, and is also effective in chronic constipation and cholecystitis.
Harm of soy
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, soy is an ambiguous product, about which there are the most conflicting opinions. Scientists to this day have not yet figured out all its properties, so do not be surprised that, according to some studies, it is able to cure a particular disease, and according to other studies, provoke its development. Despite all the controversy regarding this plant, you need to familiarize yourself with all the knowledge known to date about the benefits and harms of soy – forewarned is forearmed.

It can accelerate the aging process of the body and impair blood circulation in the brain. We mentioned that regular consumption of soybeans prolongs youth, however, some studies have shown that phytoestrogens, which are part of the product, impair the growth of brain cells and thereby reduce brain activity and lead to aging. Oddly enough, but it is these substances that are recommended for women after 30 years as a rejuvenating agent. Isoflavones, which prevent oncological diseases on the one hand, on the other hand, impair blood circulation in the brain, provoking the development of Alzheimer’s disease;
Harmful to children and pregnant women. Regular consumption of soy products causes a slowdown in metabolism, an increase in the thyroid gland and its diseases, negatively affecting the emerging endocrine system. In addition, the plant provokes strong allergic reactions in children and prevents the full physical development of the child – in boys, development slows down, and in girls this process goes by way too fast. Soy is especially not recommended for children under 3 years of age, and preferably before adolescence. It is also forbidden for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, because taking soybeans is dangerous for a possible miscarriage. Soy also disrupts the menstrual cycle in women. These negative factors of the product are caused by a high content of isoflavones, similar in structure to the female sex hormones estrogens, which, among other things, have a harmful effect on the formation of the fetal brain;
Contains protein-like components that inhibit the work of enzymes that promote the absorption of vegetable soy proteins. Here we are talking about blockers of enzymes that break down proteins. They are divided into three types and none of them can be destroyed completely during the heat treatment;
It negatively affects the health of men. The use of soybeans is prohibited for men who have reached the age associated with the initial stages of sexual dysfunction, because they can reduce sexual activity, stimulate the aging process and cause obesity;
Accelerates the processes of “drying out” of the brain. Decrease in brain weight is usually observed already in the elderly, however, with the regular addition of soy to your diet, this process can be much faster due to phytoestrogens, consisting of isoflavones, which compete with natural estrogens for receptors in brain cells;
May cause vascular dementia, fraught with the acquisition of dementia. All the same isoflavones of soy phytoestrogens slow down the process of converting testosterone into estradiol in men due to the aromatase enzyme, which negatively affects the state of the brain.
As a result, soy can be consumed, but not for everyone and not in any doses. Despite all the contradictions between the benefits and harms of soy, it is best to refrain from using this product for pregnant women and young women, children, older men and people suffering from diseases of the endocrine system. The rest should take into account that soy is useful only with its reasonable use – no more than 3 times a week and no more than 150 grams per day.