Whenever a particular food is labeled as healthy by experts, it spreads like a fad and everybody starts using it without giving it much thought. A good example of this is soy. A decade or two earlier, no one was quite aware of it except the Japanese and Chinese. However, now it is a household name, topping the list of health foods in every house. It comes in various forms, whole soy, powdered soy, soy milk, soy sauce, and soyabean oil. Of late, there have been two opinions about its health benefits, especially whether it is good to be consumed by men or not.
The Nutritional Value of Soy
Soyabean contains the following nutrients:
- Protein
- Iron
- Omega 3 fatty acid
- Fiber
- Phosphorus
- Molybdenum
- Tryptophan
- Manganese
- Vitamin K
- Isoflavone
- Genistein
- Daidzein
- Phytoestrogen
General Health Benefits of Soy
Studies have shown that soy regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, and estrogen balance. There are also studies that show that the intake of soy can help prevent cancers of the prostate, breast, and colon as well as post-menopausal hip fracture and atherosclerosis.
The opinions of many physicians and dieticians vary about the phytonutrients isoflavones, daidzein, and genistein present in soy (which are types of phytoestrogens). While some say they prevent cancer, others are of the opinion that these are carcinogenic.
General Adverse Effects of Soy
- The processing of soybeans is done by acid washing them in aluminum tanks. This carries the risk of high levels of aluminum seeping into the soy product that comes out of it.
- Hemagglutinin, which is present in soy, causes the red blood cells to clump together. This greatly affects their efficiency of absorbing and distributing oxygen to the tissues.
- Soy contains Goitrogens that are believed to interfere with the efficient functioning of the thyroid gland by blocking the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
- The phytates present in soy is believed to cling on to metal ions, thereby preventing the absorption of minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. This upsets the biochemistry of the system. In non-vegetarians, this effect of phytate is weakened due to eating meat; vegetarians are more affected by this.
Effects of Soy for Men
- Many studies suggest that regular intake of soy may decrease sperm count. In a study, by Jorge Chavarro at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, that builds on various researches carried on in animals and human tissues, it is suggested that soy contains ingredients that could harm sperm production.
- Experts say that testosterone levels in men also get influenced by the intake of soy.
- The isoflavones present in soy does have effect on the development of prostate cancer; however, it differs according to the disease stage. While isoflavones protect men aged above 60 years against prostate cancer, it may not provide protection in the early stages of the cancer in younger men, according to a study carried out by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Forms of Soy That are Best Avoided
- Raw soyabean should be avoided, as it is difficult to digest and may even cause allergies. It is better to stay away from something that even horses cannot digest!
- Unfermented forms of soy is known to produce various allergic reactions in humans such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, hives, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, as well as anaphylactic shock. This is the effect of phytates and other ingredients like soyatoxin, protease inhibitors, saponins, oxalates, goitrogens, and estrogens present in soy.
Forms of Soy That are Harmless
Traditionally, soyabean was eaten in the fermented form in Japan, the place of its origin. That may have been the right way to eat it! By using the fermented form, it is believed that all the adverse effects of soy can be avoided while getting all its health benefits.
There are a number of fermented soy products available, such as tempeh, natto, and miso.
What to Infer From All of These
- In the studies, it was unclear what form of soy was used. There could have been other factors at play here such as obesity which also have a role to play when it comes to low sperm count.
- Like every other food, different people react to the same food in different ways. If you already have low sperm count, then it is advisable to avoid soy and opt for something else that will provide you the nutrients.
- While opting for nutritional foods too, moderation should be exercised. Anything taken in excess could cause its own problems, irrespective of how much nutrition it provides.
- When you have other factors like heredity, obesity, etc., working against you, taking additional risk by consumption of soy should be avoided, as it will only aggravate the problem.
Every human being is different and come with a totally different physiological working of the body. Apart from this, the effect of different foods also varies in different individuals. Taking all this into consideration, one should decide whether a particular food is good for his system or not.
