- Vegan diets have been proven to have many health benefits, but the one drawback is not getting enough protein
- Soybean products are versatile to cook with and provide a great source of protein that is critical in maintaining a healthy body and mind
- Soy-based meat substitutes such as tofu have long been staples of vegan diets, but there is more to soy than just tofu or soymilk
- Being a vegan doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice protein in your diet, but it does take careful planning. With the plethora of soybean products available on the market today getting all the protein you need in a tasty fashion is well within reach
The benefits of soy are abundant. In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed soy manufacturers to label their products as having the ability reduce coronary heart disease. Studies have shown that 25 grams of soy protein significantly lowers LDL cholesterol levels. It is believed that the isoflavones in soy hold the key to its preventative health benefits. Isoflavones are the plant chemicals found in soy.
Soybean products such as tofu and tempeh are extremely high in protein. Four ounces of tempeh provides 22 grams of protein, which is almost half of the recommended daily allowance for healthy adult females. Protein has been shown to increase bone density, repair and build muscle tissue and increase the body’s ability to lose weight and metabolize food.
Several recent research studies have found soy beneficial in preventing cancers such as colon, breast, prostate and uterine. The isoflavones genistein and daidzein have shown the most dramatic effect in preventing these types of cancers. It is theorized that these two chemicals found in soy prevent cancerous tumors from growing. One study showed that individuals with high isoflavone content in their urine were fifty-percent less likely to develop breast cancer. It is interesting to note that countries that consume large amounts of soy have significantly fewer cases of colon, breast and prostate cancer.
The isoflavones and calcium found in soymilk and soy-based meat substitutes have been linked to a reduced risk of developing the bone-density disease osteoporosis. Animal studies showed that increased soy intake resulted in a massive reduction in boss density loss.
Vegan diets have been on the rise for a number of reasons. Famous vegans such as actor Brad Pitt and actress Alicia Silverstone have been outspoken on the benefits of vegan diets. Positive research on soy products, a huge staple with vegan dieters, has also contributed to the increase veganism.
With the numbers of soy lovers on the rise companies are now responding with a greater variety of soy products. Soy ice cream, soy nuts, soy hotdogs and hamburgers, soy coffee and tea are just a few products that are on store shelves. In 1999 alone over 300 soy products hit the market. With improved manufacturing soy foods taste better and better and are a more viable taste option than they were. Once relegated to specialty health food stores soy products are now being carried in major grocers such as Wal-mart and Vons.
Tags: soybean products, soymilk
