Soy is becoming popular in the US as more Americans switch from meat to plant-based diets.

The desire to consume a healthier diet are reasons people switch to soy-based foods like tofu. Soy is rich in proteins, amino acids, dietary fiber, and other essential nutrients, making this plant-based protein a powerful source of nutrition.

Besides nutrition, soy provides a sustainable solution to feeding an expanding global population. Switching to soy-based foods can help meet global health and nutrition goals. In terms of health, soy helps reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke and boosts bone health.

Read on to learn more about soy as a sustainable and nutritious powerhouse.

Soy Offers High-quality Plant-Based Protein

Soybeans are rich sources of plant-based protein that can boost your optimal health and basic nutrition. This helps solve some of the challenges the world is facing, as highlighted in the U.S. Soy latest articles.

Dry soybeans have between 36 and 56 grams of protein.  A single cup of cooked soybeans has approximately 31 grams of high-quality protein. Soy protein has a higher nutritional protein content than other plant-based proteins.

Studies show that soy protein can help people lose weight, build muscles, and boost their energy levels by lowering cholesterol. Soy protein contains zero cholesterol, making it suitable for persons on strict vegan and vegetarian diets since it helps them reach their protein intake goals without consuming animal-based protein sources.

Soy protein is also high in healthy fiber, which helps enhance your gastrointestinal system.

Adding soy to your diet can increase your fiber intake, keeping your lower intestines and stomach healthy. And it increases the good bacteria in your gut, ultimately improving your gastrointestinal system.

A Rich Source of Vital Trace Minerals and Vitamins

Soy foods and soybeans are abundant sources of vital trace minerals and vitamins that support your overall health. It is high in molybdenum, a trace mineral that prevents toxin buildup in the body. Additionally, soy is an excellent source of copper, a mineral necessary for good heart health.

The rich vitamin B1 content in soy helps improve several bodily functions. While the high vitamin K1 content helps facilitate blood clotting.

Consuming Soy Can Significantly Lower the Risk of Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Foundation (AHT) research, soy-rich foods such as tofu can remarkably lower your risk of heart disease. Soy has many ways of reducing the risk of heart disease and providing cardiovascular benefits. For instance, it can give the body substantial amounts of heart-healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which improve heart health by combating inflammation and stabilizing cholesterol levels.

The legume also lowers the risk of heart disease by enhancing cholesterol management. It contains soluble fiber, significantly lowering the LDL cholesterol levels in the body. This, in turn, prevents the formation of plaque buildup in your arteries, ultimately reducing your risk of heart disease.

Soy foods and soybeans are high in isoflavones, a plant compound that works as phytoestrogens and antioxidants. These two compounds, according to clinical research, boost blood vessel function. They also help reduce blood pressure and prevent inflammation, maintaining good heart health.

Soy Suits the Contemporary Lifestyle, and You Can Consume It in Several Ways

Soy foods and soybeans are inexpensive and available in grocery stores worldwide. They suit personalized diets thanks to their versatility. For instance, consumers can opt for fermented soy products like soy sauce, natto, tempeh, and miso.

Others can opt for unfermented soy foods, including soymilk, tofu, soy nuts, and edamame. And with many forms of consumption, you can replace the daily milk in your coffee drink with soymilk. Or, you can use soy flour instead of wheat flour in your cookie recipes.

Soy is Rich in Plant Compounds

Soybeans are a rich source of vital bioactive compounds that benefit our health. Besides being high in isoflavones, which help support good health, soybeans are high in phytic acid, which improves the absorption of trace minerals, such as iron and zinc. They are also high in saponins, a group of plant compounds that lower cholesterol levels in our bodies. Soybeans have more of these plant compounds than other plant-based food sources.

Soy Promotes Good Bone Health

Osteoporosis is a severe bone disease that occurs due to the reduction of bone density. The condition is common in older persons. Studies show that soy products, including soybeans, can help lower the risk of osteoporosis in seniors, thanks to their rich content of plant compounds.

Conclusion

Soy is the ultimate nutrition powerhouse. From promoting weight loss to consuming a healthier diet, there are many reasons people switch to soy-based foods like tofu. Soybeans can benefit health-conscious individuals since they promote nutrition and help lower the risk of health problems such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

As soy cultivation continues to soar, more people will try soy products to improve their health and well-being. Consuming two servings of soy foods and soybeans can significantly promote your health and well-being.