Soyabeans are the seeds of the soy plant, a herbaceous plant of the botanical family Leguminosae that grows to a height from half a meter to one meter. The spheroid seeds, or soyabeans, are 8 to 10mm in diameter and grow within a pod similar to that of peas.
In recent times, soyabean has been hipped very high that it is the best protein one can ever eat in place of other protein foods such as meat, animal milk, chicken, and eggs among others. It is seen as the richest natural food that exists in protein, vitamins and minerals. It contains valuable phytochemicals, as well and its extraordinary capacity to nourish and prevent disease is better understood by reviewing its composition. Its protein contains enough of his important amino acid to meet adult needs but not those of nursing infants. The biological value of soy protein is comparable to that of meat.
POSITIVE ASPECT OF SOYBEAN
1. Its consumption reduces the risk of various types of cancer, particularly breast, prostate and colon cancers
2. Heart- Soy reduces the risk of coronary thrombosis and heart attack. Regular soy consumption prevents arteriosclerosis and makes the blood circulation through the coronary arteries.
3. Regular consumption of soy prevents the narrowing and hardening of the arteries known as arteriosclerosis.
4. Soy increases calcium density and prevents osteoporosis. This is due primarily to the estrogenic action of the isoflavones in soy. Women benefit particularly during menopause.
5. Soy provides major amount of protein more than any other plant-based food and excellent biological quality, excellent substitute for animals’ proteins. It’s also useful in supplementing the quality of other proteins such as those from corn or wheat.
6. Soy relieves unpleasant symptoms because of its isflavones, a type of vegetable hormone that partially replaces the natural hormones produced by the ovaries. Reduced estrogen production during menopause is one of the causes of the discomfort that many women experience during this life stage
7. Soy and its derivatives contain no cholesterol, as is the case with all plant-based foods. It is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol production within the body.
8. Soya milk (beverage) can be used as a substitute for cow’s milk in infant formulas.
Although soy is highly nutritious and possesses extraordinary healing properties, it does have some drawbacks that must not be ignored. None of these are insoluble and should in no way discourage consumption of his super legume that may rightly be considered a true dietary medicine.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF SOYBEAN
1. Plant compounds resembling human estrogen in soyabean can block your normal estrogen and disrupt endocrine function, cause infertility, and increase your risk for breast cancer.
2. Reduces assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking, but only with long fermentation. High-phytate diets have caused growth problems in children.
3. Trypsin inhibitors in soy interferes with protein digestion and may cause pancreatic disorders. In test animals, trypsin inhibitors in soy caused stunted growth.
4. Goitrogens: Potent agents that block your synthesis of thyroid hormones and can cause hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked with autoimmune thyroid disease. Goitrogens interfere with iodine metabolism.
5. Soy foods increase your body’s vitamin D requirement, which is why companies add synthetic vitamin D2 to soymilk (a toxic form of vitamin D).
6. Soy contains a compound resembling vitamin B12 that cannot be used by your body, so soy foods can actually contribute to B12 deficiency, especially among vegans.
7. Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum, which is toxic to your nervous system and kidneys, and manganese, which wreaks havoc on your baby’s immature metabolic system.
8. 2. It reduces male fertility and causes the early onset of puberty in women.
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