Soy and products made of soy are not a new thing. Soy is a big part of traditional Asian diets and has been for thousands of years. It’s one of the most popular plant-based protein sources nowadays and an ingredient in many processed foods, which brings it a bad reputation. But is soy good or bad for your health?
Soy is definitely still a controversial food. While some praise it for its health benefits, others avoid it as much as they can. Soy milk is the most popular choice among people who don’t want to drink dairy because of lactose intolerance or any other reason. Tofu is also popular as a vegetarian cheese replacement.
Benefits
Soy is believed to reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. There’s also a connection between soy consumption and female fertility. According to a 2016 study, women who ate soy before IVF treatment (in vitro fertilization) had a better chance of a successful pregnancy than women who didn’t.
Negative Effects
There aren’t any proven negative effects of soy but scientists are still debating this. Many people find it discouraging that the majority of the soy used in the western market is genetically modified. Most GMO soy products contain the controversial pesticide glyphosate, which discourages some people.
