Soybean: composition, soybean varieties. Soy dishes. soy is

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Soya is one of the most controversial products, as it combines both benefits and harms at once. Almost every person, even if not on purpose, but ate soybeans, since even the most ordinary products can contain it - sausage, chocolate, mayonnaise, and so on.

The birthplace of soy and its composition

Soybean originated in East Asia, and the product itself belongs to legumes. It was here that soybean cultivation was first carried out. Whatever negative aspects this plant has, it can still be safely called one of the most valuable crops in the world. A distinctive feature of soy is its composition, namely the high protein content. The protein component in these beans exceeds 40 percent and it is worth noting that the quality of soy protein is not very different from vegetable protein. In addition, the plant is rich in useful trace elements and vitamins. Soy contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus and other elements necessary for the human body.

Soy Benefits

Since soy is a fairly cheap product, it gained its popularity not only due to its composition,but also due to availability. This factor allows soybean to imitate products such as milk and meat, which are much more expensive in the traditional version. Now you can find meat and milk from soy not only in vegetarian restaurants, but also on the menu of ordinary meat lovers who experience certain difficulties with money. However, it should be borne in mind that large quantities of soy can harm the body.

If we talk about the beneficial properties of soy, first of all it is worth highlighting the presence of isoflavones in the composition, which reduce the risk of oncology, namely breast cancer. Also, products containing soy are low in fat and carbohydrates. For this reason, the human body easily absorbs them. For example, soy-based tofu cheese is recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems.

Because soy is low in calories and contains no cholesterol, it is often included in weight loss diets. That being said, the big advantage is the satiety of these beans and, as an added bonus, a large amount of minerals and vitamins that are good for he alth. Also, soy products are recommended to be included in the diet of people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This product corrects the metabolism of carbohydrates and normalizes the acid balance in the body. In addition, soy meat and milk can be consumed during fasting, which for many will be a very convenient solution. With the right preparation of soy products, it will be very difficult to distinguish them from traditional ones.

Soy Disadvantages

However, despite the fact that soy- this is the most valuable plant culture, in itself this product can also carry a danger to human he alth, therefore, before using it, you should carefully read all the contraindications. In particular, soy can have a depressing effect on the thyroid gland and disrupt the endocrine system. Doctors recommend not giving children soy milk, as if they drink it regularly, they may be more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid disease. There is also a version that for the female body, some elements in soy are a kind of contraceptives, therefore, when planning to have a baby, it is better to exclude soy dishes from your menu.

If you want to go on a soy diet, it should be borne in mind that it should be diluted with traditional food, since a large consumption of these legumes will not give the effect you expect, and on the contrary, it may affect he alth far from the most in the best way. This also includes the version that daily consumption of soy triggers premature aging in the human body. It is necessary to completely abandon such products for people suffering from a metabolic disorder of uric acid. It is strictly forbidden to use soy for those who have urolithiasis, since the oxalates that these amazing beans contain in themselves can provoke the appearance of new stones. It is also very careful to introduce soy into the diet for people who have an allergic reaction to legumes. In addition, some are seriously confused by the fact that soy often becomes an experimental object of genetics, andaccordingly, products from this plant may contain GMOs.

Soy and cholesterol

Scientists have not yet come to a consensus on whether soy is he althy or harmful, so in any case, you should be very careful when eating it. In 1995, clinical trials were conducted on soybeans, which led to the conclusion that by consuming about 50 grams of soy daily, you can lower the level of cholesterol in the body, and therefore reduce the risk of various cardiac diseases, including strokes and heart attacks. This rate, translated into finished products, is equal to 680 grams of tofu or 8 glasses of soy milk. However, soy alone should not be counted on to lower cholesterol, as this requires a complex diet.

Soy and Cancer

To this day, scientists are puzzled over whether soy foods actually prevent breast cancer. According to one version, on the contrary, they increase the risk of a serious oncological disease, since the composition of soybeans is very diverse and some elements in it have an estrogen-like effect. However, the majority is still inclined to believe that regular consumption of soy products contributes to the activation of the anti-estrogenic effect, and, accordingly, the risk of getting cancer is minimized. Relevant studies were conducted on women in Shanghai, and it turned out that the group that consumed soy during adolescence, a few years later, had an almost 60 percent lower risk of cancer.

Soya incooking

Before different varieties of soy can be used in cooking, it must first be prepared, namely, soak the beans for at least 12 hours. After that, they are thoroughly washed, boiled until cooked and used for their further purpose.

Among ready-made products that contain soy, it is worth highlighting not only tofu, milk and chocolate, but also various sauces, as well as meat.

Popular soy products

In cooking, soybean oil is actively used, which is obtained by cold pressing. They can be seasoned with salads, used for frying or baking. The taste of soybean oil slightly resembles a nut. A small amount of sediment is allowed in the soybean oil bottle. For many, soy is the famous soy sauce that goes well with Japanese cuisine, namely sushi and rolls. This sauce is obtained by fermenting boiled soybeans with ground roasted wheat.

Be sure to mention soy meat, which must be soaked before cooking. On sale you can find only dried meat products containing soy, which swell in water and take the desired shape.

Thus, there is still no unequivocal opinion on whether soy dishes are he althy, so before eating foods containing these beans, you should weigh the pros and cons well, but it’s better to consult with your doctor.