Once you hear the word soybeans, the first thing that might come into your mind is soy milk, soy sauce, soy flour, soy protein, and tofu. These products from soybeans are popular in the food industry. The Health benefits of soybeans are connected to its good source of carbohydrates, fat, and high protein content. Soybeans are initially grown in Asia and South and North America. Among the Asian, soybean has been an essential part of their diet, and it is consumed for thousands of years.
1. Relief of Menopause Symptoms
Most of the older women are experiencing menopausal symptoms. The menopausal stage is when a woman stops her monthly period starting at the age of 45. The most common symptoms are irregular periods, mood swings, sweating, and hot flashes. Some studies explain why soybeans can help relieve symptoms of menopause by having isoflavones content, a family of phytoestrogens found in soybeans. You can reduce menopausal symptoms by daily intake of 135 mg of isoflavones for one week, equivalent to 2.4 ounces or 68 grams of soybeans per day.
2. Good Source of Protein
One of soybean nutrition is a good source of protein. Protein plays an important role to build and repair tissue. Our hair and nails are made up of protein, and it is an essential component of cells. Soybean is also known as soya bean; it is vital to athletes or people who want to maintain normal body weight. Other soya bean benefits have nine amino acids that contribute to healthy muscles and bones in our body.
3. Heart-Healthy Diet
It is good to know that the health benefits of soybeans are connected to decrease cholesterol levels. Soybeans are composed of a 10-15% decrease in total saturated fat. Adding soybean products like soy milk or tofu in your diet can reduce the body’s LDL or bad cholesterol. A study showed that eating soy foods vs. consuming soy supplements has a different effect on lowering cholesterol.
4. May Reduce Cancer Risk
Cancer is a severe and fatal disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. A healthy diet and healthy foods are most important in cancer patients. Research showed that consuming soy products, especially soy milk, can fight cancer cells, especially breast cancer. Having isoflavones is one of the most imperative soya bean benefits that can reduce breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
5. Rich in Potassium
Soya bean benefits are its rich source of potassium. Potassium can reduce the risk of stroke, protect against loss of muscle mass, and reduce kidney stones. The potassium content in soya beans is more than the amount of what you can get from a medium-sized banana.
6. Ease Blood Pressure
Maintaining blood pressure is very difficult for people with hypertension. The Health benefits of soybeans are linked to protein and low in carbs that help you to reduce weight. Excess carbohydrates are converted to fat by the liver, leading to high blood pressure in the long run. Also, soybeans can help you to lower the systolic blood pressure.
7. Make your Bone Stronger
One of the effects of the menopausal stage in women is losing a lot of bone mass. Soya bean benefits the body through isoflavones that can strengthen the bones. One of the common diseases of bone is Osteoporosis, which is common with older women. It can increase the risk of fractures in bones. It is easy to add soya products in your daily diet. You can simply substitute alternately the milk that you are drinking to soya milk. For tofu, you can mix it with your everyday vegetable dish.
8. Possible Side Effects
Several incidents relate to increased soybean intake to decreased thyroid function that can lead to hypothyroidism. This condition is characterized by the impaired production of hormones of the thyroid gland. This organ is essential as it is responsible for regulating and controlling energy release in the body. A study in 37 adult Japanese that relates consumption of 30 grams of soybean for three months can suppress the normal function of the thyroid gland.