Soy is one of the best sources of protein. This is why it is preferred by most fitness enthusiasts as their chief source of protein. There is no doubt about the fact that soy has many health benefits. However, there are many speculations about soy. Some people even claim that soy is not natural and that it causes fatal diseases. However, these speculations cannot be further away from the truth.
The Truth of Common Myths About Soy
Regardless of what myths about soy tell you, provided you don’t have an allergy, intolerance or sensitivity, this food is healthy and safe. This is why it is important to bust these misunderstandings about what this abundant food is all about.
Soy Products Contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Are Therefore Dangerous
Many plants are modified genetically to include certain characteristics that they do not normally possess. When it comes to soy, the plant is modified to withstand herbicide exposure. This allows the farmers to use this toxic chemical on weeds without the risk of destroying the crop. This has led many to believe that soy is genetically modified in a much broader or more questionable way.
GMOs are not inherently bad. They have been extensively tested, used, and consumed and research has not shown any adverse health effects relating to them. While the subject remains a controversial one for many reasons in the agricultural/environmental world, when it comes to health impacts, research consistently supports the concept that foods made with this ingredient are safe and nutritious when consumed in appropriate amounts.
Consuming Soy Increases the Risk of Breast Cancer
Among the many myths about soy, the one that tends to get the most attention as the most concerning is that it increases the risk of breast cancer or breast cancer rebound. This is because soy products contain isoflavones. These are phytoestrogens that have an effect on the body similar to that of estrogen.
This is why people with positive or estrogen-receptor breast cancer were once advised not to consume soy. However, there has been significant research to see if this danger is real. Fortunately, the results came back negative. In fact, breast cancer survivors are advised to consume soy-based products because soy is found to help in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
The myths about soy replicating the effects of estrogen are widely based on misunderstandings as well as on research done on rats already prone to cancer and that were given an exceptionally large amount of the ingredient – far more than a human would consume based on equivalent body weight ratios. If you are concerned about this, speak with your doctor, but be aware that this associated risk is based on a misunderstanding of the subject.
Men Experience Feminization Due to Soy Consumption
Soy contains phytoestrogens, which are known to impair the ability of rats to produce offspring. Due to this, it is perceived that similar effects may be seen in men. This factor has already been tested. The results revealed that phytoestrogens do not have the same effect on men. In fact, most of the speculation regarding soy comes from studies that were conducted on mice and rats. Remember one very important factor about rat studies, if nothing else from what you’ve learned here today: rats are not humans. While rat studies can provide a preliminary outcome that lets us know whether further research is warranted, a rat study is never considered to be proof that the same outcomes will occur in humans.
Now that the top myths about soy have been busted, you should consider adding some soy to your diet.
