13 SUPER FOODS ~SOY~

When I "discovered" The 13 Super Foods several years ago, the book I read list Soy as part of that list. As I began to re-educate myself & my fellow bloggers about this fantastic way to eat healthier, the information I read on Soy was unfavorable. All of the information I began to gather, listed Soy as not being healthy, as not having the properties it claimed earlier in preventing the big C. So I am going to share this newly found information pertaining to Soy, the pros vs cons, and let's decide together.

Soy comes from the soybean plant that is native to southeast Asia. soybeans are in the legume family, which unlike most legume, soybeans offer a complete protein profile, that includes polysaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. This "super bean's" late '90s reputation throughout the scientific comunity for its potential role in lowering the risk of heart disease. The following year The American Heart Association recommended adding soy protein as part of low cholesterol & saturated fat diet.

Fast forward to 2006, a report from the AHA, didn't back the 2000 report. Scientist found that large amounts of soy in the diet reduced bad cholesterol by only 3% and had no effect on good cholesterol. The scientists also concluded that amount of soy (50g)needed to produce this small effect wasn't health reality; most people will not consume that daily. Also a high soy diet did not have a significant effect on blood pressure.

To add more information that may change my mind on this being on the list is soy and cancer. The panel of researchers compiling this information has been mixed. There are studies that are reporting protective effects, but then are others that do not. Unfortunately other studies also have shown that the weak estrogen in soy ma have cancer STIMULATING effects, particularly for breast and endometrial cancer. The American Cancer Society believes that many oncologists recommend that women with estrogen sensitive breast tumors avoid large amounts of soy.

With all of that being said, I am going to continue to blog about the 13 super foods, but will find a food that has replaced Soy on the list.