Soy has become a popular ingredient in many food items, often marketed as a healthful option. However, when it comes to men’s health, there are more negatives than positives associated with its consumption, particularly for non-fermented soy products.
The Negative Side of Soy
Soy and soy-processed foods are big business, with soybeans being the second major agricultural crop grown in the United States. The mass production of soy, much of which is genetically modified, results from high-profit motives, rather than the nutritional content of the products. Many of these products are laced with toxins like the pesticide Roundup, which has been linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption. The FDA has given approval to the mass production and distribution of genetically modified (GMO) food, including soy.
Consuming soy and soy foods may expose us to several other health-damaging factors, such as:
- Isoflavones: These can disrupt hormone levels and function, potentially supporting hormone-driven cancers.
- Aluminum: Found in high levels in some soy products, it has been linked to autism, anemia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Phytic acid: This substance can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb essential minerals.
- Goitrogens: Factors that can disrupt how your body metabolizes iodine.
- Trypsin inhibitors: Soybeans contain trypsin inhibitors that can block digestion of proteins.
- Vitamin D: Eating soy foods can enhance your body’s requirement for this vitamin.
- Hemagglutinin: A clot-promoting substance that may make it difficult for red blood cells to efficiently absorb and deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues.
- Toxin formation: One result of high temperatures used to process soybeans is the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and cancer-causing nitrosamines.
- MSG: Free glutamic acid, or MSG, is formed during soy food processing. Food manufacturers often also add MSG to their finished products.
- Thyroid problems: Soy isoflavones can have a negative impact on the thyroid.
Even soy protein bars and shakes may contain soy protein isolate, a highly concentrated form of soy that should be avoided.
Positive Side of Soy: Fermented Soy
Non-GMO fermented soy has some positive features as the fermentation process enhances the nutrient content of the product, primarily by breaking down the sugars present. This process improves the absorption of nutrients by the body.
Fermented soy products can provide several health benefits, including:
- High protein content
- Source of vitamin K
- Enhancing probiotic activity in the gut
Examples of fermented soy foods include tempeh, miso, soy sauce, natto, and kefir.
Some studies have indicated that soy isoflavones may have a role in combating prostate cancer and reducing the risk of prostate cancer by 26% when compared with the lowest intake. However, this reduction in risk went up to 30% when comparing fermented versus non-fermented soy foods.
Overall, limited amounts of non-GMO, organic, fermented soy can be a healthful addition to your diet. However, GMO, non-fermented, transformed into soy protein isolate, and packed into processed foods, soy should be avoided as it can pose health risks.
