Soy. Seriously, what do you know about it? Anything positive? Negative? Know a lot of people who consume it? (and inadvertently say “soy” as if it’s the better alternative?)
I know I do.
Here’s a teeny tiny collection of soy studies I found via Healthy Diets and Science. I decided to focus on soy because, in my opinion, a lot of people don’t know all that much about it— and, yet, truly believe its the right alternative. The more HEALTHY alternative. The more HUMANE alternative. You’d be surprised.
** DISCLAIMER: Before I continue, I strongly believe that soy is not the more healthy OR humane alternative. Believe it or not, soy farming has taken over a large portion of the Amazon rain-forest, resulting in deforestation, and, consequently, the destruction of delicate ecosystems. Now (brokenheartedly enough), I KNOW this occurs with dozens of other consumer products- and I am no expert on the topic- but for those that claim they eat soy for this reason exclusively, that is, to “remain humane”… well. They are wrong.
OK, onto the studies:
- “Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic” via the Oxford Journal of Human Reproduction.
Findings? Err.. not so good, guys. According animal studies, high isoflavone intake (i.e., polyphenolic compounds that exert estrogen-like effects) result in a decreased fertility. In this particular study, the authors examined the effects of soy intake (soy contains isoflavones) on male semen concentration and, this is what was found:
“These data suggest that higher intake of soy foods and soy isoflavones is associated with lower sperm concentration.”
—SOURCE: Oxford Journal of Human Reproduction
- “Oxalate content of soybean seeds (Glycine max: Leguminosae), soyfoods, and other edible legumes” via the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Findings? Soybeans, in addition to other common legumes, may contribute to kidney stones due to their high concentrations of oxalate:
“After oxalate has been absorbed from the diet, it cannot be metabolized and is excreted by the kidney into urine, where it binds to calcium forming an insoluble salt that may precipitate to form kidney stones. The amounts of total oxalate in soybean seeds, soy foods, and other common legume foods exceed current recommendations for oxalate consumption by individuals who have a history of calcium oxalate kidney/urinary stones”.
—SOURCE: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
…and, there you have it. I would have included more examples but I do want you to continue reading (and not doze off). Until next time!
