9/7 Positive Effects of Soy
As a culinary instructor, blog writer and food demonstrator, I am frequently asked about whether or not I consume or avoid soy and soy products. When I first went vegan, my sister sent me countless articles about why I should never, ever eat soy.
I have to admit, because of the onslaught of conflicting information that I have seen, heard or read, I remain confused on one hand and yet still very much a friend of soy on the other. I do not shy away from soy, but I also don’t live on soy products alone. I vary my diet everyday to encompass a great variety and that is how I believe I can thrive.
Last night I saw these two articles about the positive effects of soy on the PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) website and wanted to share. It is important to have as much information as we can when deciding what to put into our bodies. I want to make those decisions based on trusted scientific evidence and personal experience.
New Study Shows Soy Products Protect Women from Breast Cancer Recurrence
June 26, 2012
A new report in the July edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that women previously diagnosed with breast cancer have less risk of cancer recurrence if they consume soy products. The report combined the results of prior studies, including a total of 9,514 women. Those who consumed the most soy products were 25 percent less likely to have their cancer return, compared with those who tended to avoid soy products.
Some women avoid soy products after a cancer diagnosis. The study and several previous studies show that soy products are actually protective.
Nechuta SJ, Caan BJ, Chen WY, et al. Soy food intake after diagnosis of breast cancer and survival: an in-depth analysis of combined evidence from cohort studies of US and Chinese women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96:123-132.
Soy Reduces Inflammation
July 11, 2012
A study in this month’s Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that soy products have a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Researchers examined the diets and measures of inflammation in 1,005 middle-aged Chinese women who were part of the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. The more soy products the women consumed, the less inflammation they experienced. Inflammation is linked to cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Possible mechanisms proposed for the reduced inflammation include the protective effects of phytoestrogens or of omega-3 fatty acid found in soy products.
Wu SH, Shu XO, Chow WH, et al. Soy food intake and circulating levels of inflammatory markers in Chinese Women. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112:996-1004.
I hope you find this information interesting too, it seems to provide another perspective to the conversation about the effects of soy.
Have a delicious day.
Tags: compassionate eating, PCRM, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, plant based diet, soy, soy for health, soy intake, soy products, vegan wannabe
