Soy is a nutritional warehouse and you can get the health benefits of a number of soy-based products such as soy milk, tofu, bean sprouts, nuts, sauces and flour. Soy is a type of nuts that are widely found in East Asia. They are classified as oil seeds. Soy is considered a complete protein due to the presence of essential amino acids. The benefits of soy are found in countries such as China and Japan, where smaller people are exposed to heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer and the prostate gland.
Soy has a nutrient content that is quite complete with a high protein content and is imbalanced with carbohydrates and lower fats. The fat content present in soybeans is a monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
Soy has a vitamin content including vitamin K, folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, and little vitamin C, vitamin B3, vitamin E, and vitamin B5. While the minerals contained in soy are among others such as manganese, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium, selenium, and zinc.
Soy also has a high fiber content. Other compounds contained in soybeans include phylic acid, saponin, and also not forgetting isoflavones. The isoflavones compound is the antioxidant of the most widely contained polyphenols in soy.
Here is an explanation of the various benefits of soybean for health:
1. Cow's Milk substitutes
The first soy benefit is as a substitute for cow's milk. One of the most popular soybean preparations is the soy milk. Nutritional content in soy milk is certainly different, but because of its nutrient content is also high, so soy milk is also no less beneficial to cow's milk.
Soy milk can be consumed by vegetarians or by people who have hypersensitivity to cow's milk. Soy milk is also safe to be consumed by lactose intolerance sufferers because soy milk does not contain lactose. The safety of soy milk has been tested, evidenced by the presence of soy milk formula products that can be used to replace cow's milk.
2. Controlling cholesterol
The second benefit of soy is to control cholesterol in the blood. Soy has the ability to control blood blood lipid levels. The content of unsaturated fatty acids in soybeans can help lower triglyceride levels in the blood.
Protein and saponins content can also be believed to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It is still newly proven through animal research, so it is still to be retested its effectiveness in humans.
3. Lowering blood pressure
Other soy benefits are able to lower blood pressure. The content of fatty acids in soy can help to improve blood pressure so that blood pressure is more controlled. In addition, the content of potassium in soy can also help overcome the excess sodium in the blood so that you can avoid high blood pressure.
4. Maintain Cardiovascular Health
Foods that can help lower cholesterol levels and also control blood pressure are foods that have the potential to improve cardiovascular health. When the cholesterol and blood pressure are normal, then the risk of cardiovascular disease will also be owed. The benefits of soy to smooth blood pressure also serve to keep the heart working well.
5. Antioxidant
Soy contains a compound called isoflavones, where it is beneficial to improve health. This compound is responsible for repairing cells and preventing cell damage caused by pollution, sunlight and normal body processes.
6. Preventing cancer
Isoflavones act as anticancer agents that fight cancer cells. Protects the body from cancer such hormones from the uterus, breast and prostate.
7. Reverse the effect of endometriosis
Soy helps in delaying the body's natural estrogen action, which is responsible for reducing or preventing pain during menstrual periods (severe bleeding) and other symptoms in women.
8. Preventing osteoporosis
Soy Protein helps in the better absorption of calcium in the bones. Isoflavones that are present in soybean meal serve to slow down bone loss and inhibit bone damage which in turn prevents osteoporosis.
9. Maintaining bone and joint health
The calcium content in soy milk is not as much in cow's milk, but it does not mean that soy cannot maintain bone health. Soy also has the content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus needed for bone growth.
Consumption of soy routinely can maintain bone health and reduce the risk of bone deterioration. Soy-containing isoflavones is also believed to be able to nourish itself and overcome the symptoms of arthritis.
10. Controlling weight
The benefits of the next soy are to control weight. Soybean is a food with low index glycemic levels and is very good for those consumed by you who want to lose weight. No wonder soy is often used as a healthy snack to lose weight.
On the other hand, soy is also believed to help increase weight if consumed in certain levels. This is due to the high content of Pretein and fiber in soy. So whatever you want to do with your weight, soy can be the right solution.
11. Overcoming Menopause Symptoms
The content of isoflavone in soy helps to regulate estrogen. Research has found that soy isoflavone can reduce the sense of heat in the body (hot flushes) in menopausal women.
12. Gives good effect to diabetes and kidney pain
Proteins and fibers are soluble in soy, regulating blood glucose levels and kidney filtration, thereby controlling diabetes and kidney disease.
13. Overcoming insomnia
Soy can also be one solution for sleep disorders. The problem of insomnia can be caused by various reasons. If left untreated, insomnia can trigger other health disorders. Magnesium content in soybeans can help to improve one's sleep quality.
14. Enhances immune system
The benefits of the next soy course is to enhance the immune system. Consumption of nutritious foods and rich in antioxidants is one of the keys to enhancing the body's immunity. If the immunity is maintained, the body will be protected from a wide range of pathogens that can infect the body.