What exactly is the contoversy and the truth about soy? Is it safe and healthy to consume? Is it safe for kids

Question

I've heard a lot of negative remarks, yet thought soy was one of the healthiest foods

Answer 1

Some people are allergic to it. Soy milk may not be recommened for newborn babies without other nutritional supplements because it doesn't provide all of the nutrients that milk does.

There is a lot of misinformation about soy these days--none of which is supported by the FDA or the American Dietetic Association. None of the anti-soy propaganda has the support of reputable health care professionals or scientists--it's easy to lie with statistics when you ignore other factors that may influence the results.


There are waves of nutrition misinformation in the media about certain foods. The last one was "carbs" now it's soy. After that dies down, it will be something else.

There is no scientific basis that soy effeminates men, causes cancer, causes thyroid problems ("leeching" iodine) and there is no scientific evidence that "fermented" soy is any better than unfermented soy. That's all hogwash and quackery.

Some people say "people in Asia weren't harmed by soy because they only used it as a condiment." Nonsense. I have known Chinese people who ate tofu with sugar on it for breakfast. If being a condiment makes an otherwise dangerous food safe, how come so many Americans have to cut down on their salt intake?

A lot of soy in the US may be genetically modified, but so are other foods. Since the US doesn't require labels for this, we don't know what food is genetically modified or not. I'm not thrilled about genetically modified food because they may contain genetic material from animals--as a vegetarian it irritates me that the US government allows it without a label; but there is no solid evidence that GM foods are unsafe.

Here is a web site about Dr. Mercola being ordered by the FDA to stop his outrageous claims:

http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html

Answer 2

Soy products can't hurt you. I started eating natural soy nuts for natural menopause years ago.
they said that soy helped menopause now they say it doens't.
Who are "THEY"?

All I know is that my skin and hair showed remarkable improvement by eating soy products. Well I was eating at least 3 cups of nuts a day. (I had a lot of uncontrollable gas ::)) which was embarrasing, but it never hurt me any other place :)

Years ago hotdogs were said to be bad for you, now "they" say they are good for you. I'm tired of hearing what "they" have to say.

Soy is healthy for you period. You have to consume a lot of it to have any real affect. Based on my own personal experience not from what "they" say.
As far as nutrional value, you would have to look that up or go to a natural grocery store in your area.

I did not depend "soley" on soy for my nutrients, remember I used it for a "supplement". but instead of face aging with the effects of menopause, my face actually looked better well. (less wrinkels and lines). How can that be bad for you?

And my hair. I color my hair, so it's over processed with hair color, blow drying and curling. It was so dry and brittle like straw, but I notced a change in my hair also. I became smoother and lost that dry, damaged feel. How can that be bad for you?

Make sure you provide your children a well balanced home cooked meal and add soy products if you like.

My only negative comment about soy from personal experience is the GAS. LOL, but true....

Answer 3

Here's the problem: GMOs: genetically modified organisms.

Organic soy, or soy with "NO GMOs" printed on the package will be safe. Otherwise, you're swallowing hormones by the mouthful.

Soy isn't safe for all kids, some are allergic.

The hoopla and confusion you're hearing is likely because of the GMOs. Soy is a healthy, ecologically sound, low-fat meat alternative...but when farmers mess with nature through genetic engineering and the use of hormones, you might as well be wolfing down a Big Mac! :)

The key to the mystery is intensive label-reading, and keeping yourself informed. :)

Answer 4

There's a difference between soy eaten in Asian culture (tofu, miso, "soy milk" consumed for around 1000-2000+ years) and "soy burgers." Processed soy protein is used for "burgers" and other similar items, but these have only been around for a few decades in general use. In many cases they are genetically modified.

Answer 5

Thre are some serious drawbacks to soy as a result of some pretty credible and varied research by reputable universities. You might want to google for the websites and the results of their research. They have no ax to grind ... just that it is very hard on the human body.

Answer 6

If you are eating a lot of soy you should be supplementing iodine. Kelp is one way to do it. Soy can leach iodine from your system and if you're already iodine deficient this can cause some real problems with your thryoid.
A good rule of thumb is to just not eat a lot of processed foods if you are concerned about your health.

Answer 7

Soy is not the perfect health food we all believe it to be. From what I've researched, fermented soy (such as natto and miso) is the only form of soy that one should consume as the fermentation process eliminates all of the negative effects that soy can have on the human body. As quoted from the article cited below, "Nonfermented soy products contain phytic acid, which contains anti-nutritive properties. Phytic acid binds with certain nutrients, including iron, to inhibit their absorption. [...] On the other hand, fermented soy stops the effect of phytic acid and increases the availability of isoflavones. The fermentation also creates the probiotics--the "good" bacteria the body is absolutely dependent on, such as lactobacilli--that increase the quantity, availability, digestibility and assimilation of nutrients in the body." Therefore, fermented soy seems to be the way to go, according to the views of Dr. Mercola, a highly-respected osteopath and health activist.

Answer 8

Read John Robbins' take on the issue of soy consumption.

http://www.foodrevolution.org/what_about_soy.htm

Answer 9

Soy is great even for infants but some people are allergic to Soy.

Answer 10

I'd heard the bad things too and recently posted a question about it here myself. one person answered with my exact thoughts: soy and soy products (both fermented and unfermented) have been consumed in Asia for hundreds of years and they have some of the lowest diet-related disease rates in the world. So eat up!