Soy has gained popularity for its many health benefits. As its appeal increases, so does the controversy surrounding the consumption of soy, leaving people feeling unsure whether or not to include it in their daily diet. While there are undeniable health benefits, there are also real risks for certain people. Depending on gender and age, it has the potential to negatively impact the body, especially when it is consumed in high quantities. While some experts have renounced soy completely, others have considered it to retain positive benefits for certain individuals.

When exploring the benefits of soy, it is important to note that soy contains all of the amino acids needed by the human body, making it a complete protein. Some people are able to include soy in their diet as a protein source. Soy also has cholesterol lowering properties, making it beneficial for heart health.

In addition, soy provides the body with high levels of calcium, iron, zinc, B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Soy is considered to be high in iron and an excellent replacement or substitute for red meat. Research has shown that the iron that soy provides is highly absorbable by the human body and can help to fight iron deficiency.

The role of soy in heart health stems from the fact that it has cholesterol-lowering properties as well as a balancing effect on blood pressure. Soy can also offer positive benefits for heart health by including it in your diet as another protein source while limiting animal products that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Another reason soy is popular for heart health is that it not only reduces bad cholesterol but also increases good cholesterol in the body. Additionally, research has shown that soy lowers blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

Soy contains many phytochemical compounds, like Isoflavone, that positively impact the human body. Isoflavone provides antioxidants and boosts the immune system. Some consider soy to be a beneficial addition to the diet of those with multiple sclerosis because of its immune boosting qualities.

Additionally, soy has a positive effect on bone health because it contains both calcium and magnesium. The effects of osteoporosis may be lessened by the Isoflavone content in soy because it is found to inhibit the breakdown of bones. Soy has also been found to be especially beneficial to women in their menopausal years due to their high risk of osteoporosis.

Soy contains phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the human body. Because of this, soy may reduce hot flashes and maintain bone density for women going through menopause. For women who are not in their menopausal years, studies show that soy can help balance hormones and reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Women who have a history of breast cancer should avoid eating soy because research has found that it can contribute to breast cancer. Other research has shown that soy can be helpful in the prevention of breast cancer. Scientists agree that additional research needs to be done to bridge the gap between whether or not soy is harmful or beneficial for prevention of breast cancer.

On the other hand, the phytoestrogen in soy may block some of the effects of testosterone in men, which could protect against prostate cancer.

Because of the controversy surrounding soy, many have excluded it from their diet completely. Most experts believe that including small amounts of soy in your diet is safe, with the exception of certain individuals who are at risk for certain cancers or those who have thyroid disease.

One of the potential risks of eating soy are for those who have impaired thyroid function and who are on thyroid medication. Soy has the potential to negatively impact thyroid function because it contains goitrogens, which are compounds that interfere with thyroid function. This is especially true for individuals who have iodine deficiency, which is essential for thyroid function.

Soy poses an additional risk to human health because it is now considered to be a high allergen food. The American Academy of Pediatrics proposed that early exposure to soy through infant formula has raised the incident of soy allergy in children. Infants consuming soy-based infant formula are also at risk for adverse effects such as depressed thyroid function and zinc deficiency. Soy is high in phytates which can inhibit the absorption of essential minerals, such as zinc. This becomes a problem when a person is consuming high amounts of phytates.

Another concern is that soy contains enzyme-inhibitors which have shown to cause gastric distress and even reduced protein absorption. Enzyme-inhibitors block the absorption of enzymes needed for protein digestion. Fermented soy, such as tempeh and miso, is considered by some to be the only acceptable form of soy to consume. When soy is fermented, the enzymes are broken down, making the protein readily available for digestion by the human body. Normally cooking soy does not break down the enzymes properly.

Because soy is a complete protein, it is a popular choice to replace animal protein. Whether or not soy contains the vitamin B12 is another controversy, leaving some health experts saying that soy is not an acceptable replacement for animal protein. Recent research offers that the compound in soy that resembles vitamin B12 is not usable by the human body. Even more controversial is that those studies have shown that soy may actually stimulate the human body to require more vitamin B12.

While it seems that recent claims have made soy appear to be more formidable than beneficial, it still offers some dietary options for certain individuals. This is especially true when soy is consumed in moderation and not as a continuous replacement for other foods. The adverse health effects of soy seem to depend on the person consuming large amounts on a continuous basis, which is encouraged by the availability of soy beverages, protein powders and meat replacements. The key may be moderation as well as complete avoidance if you suffer from thyroid disorders or certain cancers.