Health
Nutrition of Soya
Soy is a complete
protein, and soyfoods are rich in vitamins and minerals including
folate, potassium and, in some cases, fiber. In the past 15 years, soya foods
have attracted the attention of research scientists around the world for health
properties beyond basic nutrition as well.
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Soya
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Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Substituting saturated fat sources with unsaturated fats may
help lower your cholesterol levels. Elevated serum cholesterol levels lead to
atherosclerosis and the increased risk for heart disease. The National Soybean
Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois says the oil derived from
soybeans contains no cholesterol and is a source of polyunsaturated fat.
Soybean oil is a rich
source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the two essential fatty acids
called linoleum acid and linolenic acid. These two essential fatty acids are
precursors to hormones that regulate smooth muscle contractions and blood
pressure.
Soybeans are a
source of insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stools and helps waste pass
quickly through the digestive tract. According to the Mayo Clinic, a high-fiber
diet normalizes bowel movements and promotes digestive health.
Adding
soy protein to breads, tortillas, corn meal, pasta, or any traditional food is
a low cost and efficient way to ensure adequate nutrition for vulnerable
populations. In this manner, not only do people receive enough high quality
protein for the development and maintenance of their health, but they also get
the added disease prevention benefits of soybean photochemical.
More
than half the deaths of children under 5 in many developing countries are
attributable to malnutrition either directly or in combination with other
illnesses, such as acute respiratory illness or diarrhea. Complementary feeding
interventions with soy target children 6-24 months, when malnourished children
are at risk for growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies and infectious
illnesses.
Soybeans
and soy products such as soy flour and textured soy protein granules play a
pivotal role towards the reduction of chronic malnutrition among school aged
children around the world. Local recipes fortified with soy products provide
high quality protein and other nutrients that are well liked by the children.
Soy in food products
Soybeans are processed in different form, the
common ones being: soy meal, soy flour,
milk, tofu. Vegetarian foods. Infant formula. Soya bean oil is used as
vegetable oil in cooking and processed food.
Health Benefits of SOYA
It is important to mention few of soy health
benefits also. Recent studies show that using soy based supplements helps
improving cognitive functions and the
frontal lobe functions.
The
soy oil contains omegas 3 fatty acids that are similar are similar to the ones
found in some algae and oily fish and it can prevent blood clotting.