{"id":161,"date":"2018-07-06T13:39:14","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T20:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/?p=161"},"modified":"2018-07-06T13:44:27","modified_gmt":"2018-07-06T20:44:27","slug":"soy-bueno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.csun.edu\/nutritionexperts\/2018\/07\/06\/soy-bueno\/","title":{"rendered":"Soy Bueno"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By\u00a0Shely Salemnia, DTR, CSUN Dietetic Intern<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Soy has been getting a lot of flack on the internet. This is because soy contains isoflavone, which is a type of phytochemical. It is also a type of phytoestrogen which resembles human estrogen. Estrogen is a female hormone that has been linked to breast and uterine cancers. Because of this, many people have associated phytoestrogens with increasing estrogen levels and thus increasing risk of breast cancer. Thus, many people have avoided soy with fear of developing\u00a0breast cancer or re-occurrence of breast cancer. However, research has shed more light on the subject.<\/p>\n

Many publications have studied the effect of soy consumption on health and breast cancer risk. Against popular belief, the scientific community has mounting research that soy consumption may actually decrease risk of breast cancer1<\/sup>.<\/sub> It\u2019s a shame that soy has such a bad reputation, as studies have suggested that soy has a myriad of health benefits. Such benefits include moderate weight loss, decreased inflammation, and protection for the kidneys 2,3,4,5,6<\/sup>. <\/sub>Knowing this is important since soy is a major part of some Asian diets and is a great source of vegetable-based protein. Many people are looking for plant-based sources of protein, as plant-based diets are being encouraged by health professionals7<\/sup>. <\/sub>Research shows variable protective effects of soy based on ethnicity, age, hormone status, and type of soy food consumed 1,6<\/sup>. The American Cancer Society states that those with breast cancer can safely consume up to three servings of soy a day, in forms such as \u201ctofu and soy milk\u201d and recommends to avoid concentrated forms of isoflavones found in soy powders and supplements8<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Half a cup of soy beans contains 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron9<\/sup>.\u00a0Remember, certain soy products like tofu and soy milk are processed and may contain other ingredients, including salt, and should be consumed in moderation.\u00a0<\/span>Thus, natural soy as in soy beans or edamame are better choices, but smaller portions of tofu and other soy products can still fit into a balanced diet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try out this tasty recipe to get in a healthy serving of soy!<\/p>\n

Warm Edamame Salad\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Recipe by Martha Stewart<\/a><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n