How Useful Are Soy Products

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The horsemeat scandal across Europe has largely cooled our appetite for meat and meat products. According to some people, such revelations may be a good reason to become a vegetarian. The only ones who have benefited from this scandal are the producers of vegetarian products and products that imitate meat or the so-called soy products.

Products that imitate meat have become more and more popular in recent years. There is now a wide choice between "almost lamb" roast, "soy fish fillets" and vegetarian turkey. According to estimates of large producers of semi-finished foods, the demand for entirely vegetarian products has increased by 17%. For some products - such as vegetarian buger - demand has increased by 50%.

The main ingredient in these semi-finished products is soy. It is grown all over the world. The main producers of soybeans worldwide are the United States and Brazil. It was first used in 1959. Until the 1980s, soybeans were simply a waste product in the production of soybean oil. But then the American companies producing soybean oil and thought to advertise it as a healthy substitute for meat, thus increasing their profits.

A number of studies at the time, carried out with the financial support of soybean oil producers, identified soy as an extremely useful and healthy product. According to the published results of studies on the benefits of consuming soy products, their regular consumption helps build healthier bones, controls and even reduces the symptoms of menopause, relieving hot flashes and palpitations. Researchers say it even prevents the development of certain cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer.

Many modern studies dispute these results. In 2006, the American Heart Association issued an opinion that their long-term observations did not prove the health benefits of consuming soy products. No study has shown a link between consumption of soy products and reducing the incidence of various cancers or relieving the symptoms of menopause.

A 2008 study by the Infertility Clinic in Massachusetts showed a link between increased consumption of soy and soy products and reduced fertility in men.

Soybeans contain natural toxins such as phytic acid, which reduce the ability to absorb vital minerals such as iron and zinc, and can lead to mineral deficiencies. These toxins are found in chickpeas and wheat, but at much lower levels. Technological processing of soybeans should completely eliminate these toxins, but traces of them can be found in soy products.

Soy also contains some isoflavones, natural, powerful, plant compounds that mimic the female sex hormone estrogen.

In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority rejected a large number of claims about the health benefits of soy products and claims from manufacturers of soy semi-finished products, isoflavones support hair growth, reduce menopausal symptoms, improve heart health and protect cells from harmful oxidative processes.

In 2003, the U. S. Government Toxicology Agency identified three groups of people who were potentially at risk from soy consumption: soy-fed babies, people with thyroid hypofunction, and women diagnosed with cancer. on the breast.

Another cause for concern is the way most soy products are produced. In tofu, miso or soy milk, soybeans are processed very lightly. But when it comes to vegetarian sausages or vegan cheese - soy proteins are extracted by washing soy flour with acid in aluminum containers.

This poses a potential danger to aluminum, which is extremely harmful to the human brain and nervous system, getting into some of the products. Technological processing of soy leads to the release of glutamic acid, which can cause acute allergic reactions.

Soy products are widely used in the food industry and not only as a meat substitute. Much of the protein bars, spreadable cheese and even ice cream also contain traces of soy. Soy can be found even in some meat products such as beef burgers.

Soy proteins are almost completely tasteless. To make them more attractive to consumers, many soybean manufacturers add sweeteners, artificial flavors, colors and salt to soybeans. The irony is that consumers who strive for a healthier lifestyle by avoiding meat and meat products are actually consuming an unhealthy substitute.