If you’re looking for a practical and healthy snack, do not hesitate to choose soy beans. Because, this kind of nut full of nutrients that are good for the body, including fiber, complex carbohydrates, antioxidants, protein, various vitamins and minerals. Secretly, soybeans have a lot of interesting facts that are worth to be known to, you know. Find out the health facts about soybeans through reviews here.
Health facts about soybeans
- The best vegetable source of protein
Soybeans are a source of high quality protein. This is because soy contains all kinds of essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are a type of amino acids that your body needs, but could not be produced on its own, therefore need to be brought in from outside through the food.
Judging from the content of its nutritional value, per 100 grams of soy contains 17 grams of protein is good for building the muscles of the body. That’s why, soybeans became the best source of vegetable protein.
- Soybeans are processed into tempeh healthier than tofu.
Tempeh and tofu are two vegetable source of protein foods that are preferred by many people. Although both made from soybeans, in fact, tempeh is more nutrient-dense than tofu. How could that be?
It is influenced by the process of making tempeh and tofu. Tempe created by fermentation, while tofu made from compacted soy milk.
Soybeans, namely raw tofu and tempeh, contain antinutrien. Antinutrien is a compound that can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients in the body.
Well, these compounds cannot be eliminated through the process of coagulation (compaction). Knowing the soy milk is made from compacted, then does that mean the antinutrien compound can not be removed. On the other hand, antinutrien in tempeh more easily eliminated because it is made by fermentation. Well, that’s why tempeh contains more nutrients than tofu.
- Healthier than red meat
According to Kathy McManus, a diet expert and Director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard, the amount of protein from processed soy products like tofu or edamame can replace the amount of protein from red meat and other protein sources. Red meat contains saturated fats that can cause high cholesterol buildup in the body. Meanwhile, soybeans contain polyunsaturated fats (good fats) are much healthier. Then, no doubt if soybeans could meet the fat intake the body needs in a more healthy way.
- Lowers the risk of breast cancer
A lot of people say that soybeans can trigger breast cancer in women. In fact, this is just a figment. In fact, most soy contains isoflavones than any other food. Isoflavones are a type of antioxidant that may help ward off cancer-causing free radicals. Isoflavones does have properties similar to estrogen that can trigger cancerous growth if produced in excess. However, there is no research to suggest that soy may trigger breast cancer. The effect is precisely the opposite, namely soy can lower the risk of breast cancer. The isoflavones in soy have a balanced way of working, that act like estrogens and anti estrogen. This means that the isoflavones may stop the excessive estrogen formation while providing antioxidant properties to suppress cancer growth.
- Eating soy will not make men experiencing fertility problems
A lot of people say that men should not eat soybean because it could trigger the fertility problems. Content of isoflavones in soy is feared can lower tes**tosterone in men so as to make him infertile. In fact, a study showed that men who consumed 40 milligrams of soy isoflavones per day for 4 months did not experience a decline in the quality of the tes**tosterone hormone or spe**rm count. This means that soy does not make men experiencing fertility problems. In fact, consumption of soybeans can lower the risk of pros**tate cancer in men.
- Soy milk is safe for toddlers
Many parents are not giving soy milk for children, fearing the development of the child will be disturbed. Whereas, up to now there has been no research that is able to prove it. This is evidenced by a 2012 study that compares the development of babies given breast milk, cow’s milk, and soy milk. In fact, all of the babies showed normal growth and development in the first year of life. Nevertheless, breast milk remains the best food for infants up to two years old. After that, You may give soy milk in accordance with the advice of a doctor.
- Soy does not trigger the hypothyroid
You may have heard the myth which reveals that the content of Phytoestrogens in soy can trigger a hypothyroid. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds in nature similar to estrogen in the human body. This estrogen became one of the risk factors of cancer if excessive levels in the body. Indeed, a study published in Clinical Thyroidology in 2011 found that as many as ten percent of the women experienced a hypothyroid after eight weeks of consuming soy protein supplements. But in reality, this only occurs in females containing 16 mg per day of Phytoestrogens, or the excess doses. While in women consuming soy protein supplement with low dose did not show the presence of thyroid function changes. So, soybeans are not proven hypothyroid if still consumed in reasonable limits.
- Lowering blood sugar and nourishes the heart
The soybean is one food that lets you scoop up two benefits simultaneously, that keeps blood sugar steady and maintain heart health. It is influenced by the glycemic index levels are low in soy. Glycemic Index is a value that shows how fast your body transform carbohydrates into blood sugar. Every kind of food and drink have a glycemic index. The higher the glycemic index, then the carbs will more quickly converted to blood sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels in the body will also be faster ride. The good news, soy contains a low glycemic index so it doesn’t make your blood sugar go up drastically. At the same time, this bean can also make heart healthier, so lower the risk of heart disease.
- Reduce the effects of hot flashes in menopausal women
Based on a study published in the journal Menopause in 2012, consuming food derived from soybeans can help relieve symptoms that appear when women entering menopause. In particular is the sensation of heat and swelling are common at night (hot flashes). When starting entering menopause, the hormone estrogen in the body will decrease drastically. These hormonal changes cause you to experience the ‘ heat ‘ of the time of menopause. The consumption of one to two servings of soy per day proved to be able to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flash. However, further research is needed to know how long this soy efficacious tackles hot flash on menopause woman.
- Make full longer
For those of you who are on a diet, soybeans can be a healthy snack option for you. This is because soy beans, including types of nuts that have a low glycemic index level. Foods with low glycemic index tend to be more slowly absorbed by the body. Processed snack by eating soy, the stomach will feel full longer and control your appetite. As a result, you will not be eating a great meal when you eat later.
Thank you very much for reading Health facts about soybeans, hopefully useful.
