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Planning to go vegan? Then add soybean to your diet for protein replenishment

Confused whether to incorporate soy in your diet or not? Well, give this one a read before you decide.
are soya chunks healthy
Ladies, all the soy chaap delicacies are the way to health in moderation. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.
Team Health Shots Updated: 13 Oct 2023, 01:28 pm IST
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Do you absolutely swear by Soy Malai Chaap or soybean momos on days when you have to eat vegetarian food? Or do you find chili soya nuggets, with its crunchy exterior covered in a sweet and spicy sauce, an absolute delicacy?

Yup peeps, soy is all about yum and health. In the past few years, this vegetarian alternative to meat has seen a remarkable increase in its consumption and it has easily made room among all foodies.

Soy is a type of legume which is native to Asia. They have actually been consumed for thousands of years forming the basis of a number of traditional dishes.

Well, soy is worth the hype as it is rich in protein
Who says that being vegan is all about bland food? These people should say hello to soy to debunk this myth.

Soy is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients linked to several health benefits. Soybeans are among the best sources of plant-based protein out there. And the benefits of soy don’t end here’s – It’s great when it comes to reducing the risk of cancer and alleviating menopause symptoms.

benefits of soybean oil
Say no to obesity and diabetes with soybean oil. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

Hey! This was just a trailer as the soy story doesn’t end here. Read these jaw-dropping benefits of soybeans and then decide how to amp up its intake.

Also, read: Swap your regular cooking oil with soybean oil to reduce the chances of obesity

Eat soy in all possible form to reduce the risk of breast cancer
Now that’s a major benefit of soy. A study conducted by the researchers at the University of Southern California found that a high intake of soy products reduced the risk of breast cancer in women.

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Another Australian study, undertaken at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, found that phyto-oestroges, which are found in soybeans reduces the risk of breast cancer in women – so that’s a double heads-up.

Also, read: How to differentiate between benign and cancerous breast lumps? A gynaecologist explains

If fragile bones are a problem then eating soy is an answer
Your parents must be at an age where fragile bones create a lot of ruckus – hence do make then eat soy.

A Department of Food and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, USA believes it too. Researchers deduced that the higher isoflavone content in soybeans protected against spinal bone loss. The same study also found that the intake of soy protein for six months decreases the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases among postmenopausal women.

So, ladies make your mommies eat soybeans on a regular basis.

Decreases severity of menopausal symptoms
Another one for your mother. Menopause in women leads to a number of unpleasant symptoms like sweating, hot flashes, and mood swings. However, a higher intake of soybeans has been found to decrease the severity of menopausal symptoms.

Be there for your mommie and ask her to eat soy during menopause. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

Griffith University School of Medicine, Australia, conducted a research where they found that isoflavone consumption may produce a slight to modest reduction in the number of daily flushes in menopausal women.

Also, read: It’s not your mom, it’s menopause! Here’s how you can help her deal with this phase of her life

Thanks to soy, now no rise in bad cholesterol level
Consumption of soy protein has been linked to a decrease in cholesterol levels as well. The Veterans Affair Medical Center, USA, study finds that soy significantly decreases the serum concentration of total cholesterol in the human body.

But if you are allergic to soy then it’s not your plate of protein
Despite the several health benefits of soybeans and soy proteins, it is an allergen that often leads to allergic reactions in people. Soy allergy is caused by the proteins glycinin and conglycinin and you should abstain from it if you feel symptoms like itching in and around the mouth.

All said and done peeps – so what have you decided? Is it a thumbs-up for soy or not? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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