Soybeans and soy foods are some of the most potent foods widely consumed in different parts of the world. The food is native to East Asia and is popularly grown in Asia. Different soy products work as protein replacements for people who do not take meat. A popular product is the soy meat chunks that many vegetarians use as an alternative to meat. Soy has numerous benefits, including the fact that it has a load of useful fiber content, phytoestrogens, antioxidants, saturated fats, and omega-three, among other functional components needed by the body.
Below are some of the top benefits you are likely to get each time you consume soybeans and soy products.
1. Can Aid in Relieving Sleep Disorders
If you are always struggling to sleep for whatever reason, you should consider using soy regularly. Health professionals advise that soy can reduce the occurrence of insomnia and help with other sleeping disorders. Soybean has high magnesium levels, which are responsible for improving the rest one gets and sleeping time. It is advisable to include these products in your daily diet if you tend to struggle with sleep.
2. Managing Diabetes
Studies show that soy can help prevent and fight diabetes. It works because it can boost insulin receptors, thus preventing diabetes from occurring. Patients already suffering from the disease can also manage it with regular use of soy. The low carbohydrate levels in soy also make it an excellent anti-diabetic food choice since eating it will not trigger sugar spikes due to the soy isoflavones it contains.
It is not yet clear how this works, but scientists know that isoflavones help improve insulin sensitivity, allowing one’s body to respond better to insulin and absorb more glucose. It is not surprising that the USSEC will intensify its efforts to grow and market soy since its benefits are immense.
3. Aids with Blood Circulation
Soybean contains numerous iron and copper, which are crucial in producing red blood cells. Experts believe that the body organs function best when the entire body has a sufficient oxygen supply to every part. Taking soy products helps increase red blood cells’ production because it contains the necessary elements required to be successful.
When your organs work well, you are likely to be more productive. The heart will significantly benefit from taking the soy not only because of the proper circulation of blood but also due to the unsaturated fats. These fats will reduce the harmful cholesterol levels in your heart and minimize the potential of suffering from conditions such as atherosclerosis or heart disease.
Such conditions can easily trigger a stroke or heart attack in patients. Fortunately, soy has useful fatty acids needed to sustain healthy cardiovascular health. The linolenic acid and linoleic acid, famously known as Omega 3 fatty acids, also have anti-inflammatory properties that support both brain and eye health in addition to heart health.
4. It is Good for Pregnancy
Pregnant women need to take folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects in infants and boost the fetus’s proper development. Soy has a considerable supply of folic acid and vitamin B complex, which aid in appropriate fetus development. Women should eat adequate soy foods to prevent avoidable defects to the baby, especially those that can work with proper nutrition.
Working with a trained and qualified gynecologist and nutritionist is always a good move. Note all the foods you need to eat to ensure your baby grows into a healthy child. However, one needs to be careful about how much you are taking during this period since soy can also cause weight loss, not something you want during pregnancy.
5. Helps Promote Healthy Bones
The high mineral content in soybean is responsible for numerous positive benefits. For stronger and healthier bones, anyone including soybean in their diet will get an adequate supply of copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium, all of which promote bone development. These elements tend to boost osteotropic activity, meaning that your existing bones will grow stronger while at the same time allowing new bones to grow. Usually, in case of any accidents that require healing, people taking a lot of soy products are likely to heal better and faster. Anyone suffering from bone-related issues should consider including soy in their daily diet to help them manage the condition and foster recovery.
6. Improves Digestion
Soy has a reasonable amount of dietary fiber that is excellent for all digestive processes. It assists in bulking up stool, making it easy for you to release it out of the body. Besides that, the fiber boosts peristaltic movements that help in pushing food throughout the digestive system.
Constipated individuals benefit more from increased bowel movements, thus are encouraged to take more soy in their regular diet. What’s more, ignoring constipation can trigger severe pain conditions when clearing the bowel, bleeding, and colorectal cancer. Soy also has oligosaccharides, a carbohydrate type that stimulates the development of healthy bacteria in the gut.
7. May Relieve Menopause Symptoms
The high amounts of isoflavones found in soy are responsible for assisting the female reproductive system function optimally. Most women will experience a drastic loss of estrogen when they get to menopause. Usually, this leads to uncomfortable symptoms such as mood swings, hot flushes, abdominal pain, and cramps.
This can be a traumatizing experience that interferes with one’s quality of life, especially if it is extreme. Fortunately, taking soy can help since the isoflavones bind estrogen so that the body will not recognize any change. If you are struggling with menopausal symptoms, then having soybean as part of your diet goes a long way in ensuring you calm down and enjoy the aging process.
Final Thoughts
Including soy as part of your daily diet can be a great move that helps boost your overall health. However, just as you would do with other foods, make sure to take it in moderation. Please speak to a professional nutritionist on using soy for specific conditions to be safe and avoid overdoing it negatively. Soy is a great food that is rich in nutrients. Take advantage of this superfood whenever you can to experience its untold benefits.
