Soy Protein - Linked to Obesity?

New research summarizes the effects of soy on weight loss; spares scientific mumbo-jumbo.

There’s no getting around the fact that many vegetarians rely on soy to provide protein, nutrients, and easy meal ideas. The rest of the population, however, seems to be more interested in the potential health benefits of soy: An interesting article investigates the role of soy in curbing obesity. I can’t re-print the article here, but the abstract gives a good indication of its findings:

“Several nutritional intervention studies in animals and humans indicate that consumption of soy protein reduces body weight and fat mass in addition to lowering plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. In animal models of obesity, soy protein ingestion limits or reduces body fat accumulation and improves insulin resistance, the hallmark of human obesity.” (1)

In addition, there are a few well-written lines regarding soy not only being a complete protein (containing all the essential amino acids), but also containing isoflavones with known health benefits. Though soy myths persist, it is good to see soy touted as having “…a nutritional value roughly equivalent to that of animal protein of high biological value” (1)

I am not here to tell you that soy is a miracle food, or that it will cure all the troubles of an over-fed nation. But at very least, it is good to see alternative protein sources being considered part of a healthy diet.

References:

1) Velasquez MT and Bhathena SJ. Role of dietary soy protein in obesity. Int J Med Sci. 2007; 4(2):72-82..