The Amazing Health Benefits Of Soy Beans (1)

Soybean or soya bean is a species of legumes that has become one of the most widely consumed foods in the world for its many health benefits. soybeans are native to East Asia and are highly grown in India as well as Africa. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet often use soybean to replace meat for protein. Along with having a high protein content, soybeans are also rich in saturated fats, fiber, antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, and phytoestrogens, among other essential nutrients required by the body. In recent times, soybeans have grown to popularity due to their derivatives such as tofu, soy milk, and textured vegetable protein. This variety of soy products has created a new massive market altogether, primarily benefiting the vegan population. Foods containing soy have also been shown to have several health benefits. For example, the health benefits of soybean for menopausal women include lowered risk of osteoporosis, protection from coronary heart disease, and fewer hot flushes. According to experts, including soybean in your daily diet can help you maintain a healthy body as well as overall well-being. 

With that said, in this post, we will be discussing the health benefits of soybean, its nutritional facts, and the best soybean recipe that can be made at the comfort of your home.

Nutrition Value of Soybean

Soybeans are composed of protein and also contain good amounts of fat and carbs. 100 grams of boiled soybeans contain:

§  Calories – 173  

§  Fiber – 6 grams    

§  Carbohydrates – 9.9 grams    

§  Protein – 16.6 grams

§  Fat – 9 grams

Health Benefits of Soybean 

Soybean has been part of the traditional Indian and African diets for centuries. It contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that are linked to numerous health benefits. And don’t forget the protein content, which is in abundance. Here are the potential health benefits of soybeans. 

1. Helps relieve sleep disorders 

One of the primary benefits of soybean is that not many know that soybean can help relieve the symptoms of sleep disorder. According to health professionals, soybeans can help in reducing the occurrence of insomnia along with other sleeping disorders. Since soybean contains magnesium in high amounts, which is linked to increasing the quality, restfulness, and duration of your sleep, it would be beneficial that you add it in your daily diet.  

2. Soybean may help manage diabetes 

Eating soybean is an effective way to manage and prevent diabetes. According to several studies, soybean has the ability to increase the insulin receptors in the body. As a result, it can prevent diabetes from occurring in the first place or can help manage the disease effectively if you are already suffering from it. Further, the carbohydrate content in soybean is incredibly low, which makes it an excellent anti-diabetic food. Eating soybean will keep your blood sugar levels in check and will make sure that it doesn’t spike thanks to the soy isoflavones. Although the mechanism of how it works is still unknown, scientists say that soy isoflavones help improve insulin sensitivity, allowing the cells to absorb more glucose and respond more to insulin. 

3. Help improve blood circulation

As per the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, iron and copper are two essential minerals that are found in abundance in soybean. Both components are vital for the production of red blood cells (RBCs). According to health experts, with an appropriate amount of red blood cells in the body, the essential organ systems, including the extremities of the body, can get proper oxygen and blood flow they need to function efficiently. With the increase in red blood cells, your body experiences a maximized metabolic activity. 

4. Essential for pregnancy

Soybean is rich in folic acid and vitamin B complex that is very essential for pregnant women. Pregnant women are told to consume soy-based organic products as folic acid in soybean helps in the prevention of neural tube defects in infants, ensuring a healthy delivery as well as a healthy baby. Birth defects are normal if the mother-to-be doesn’t take care of the nutrition requirements. Therefore, it is important to consult with your concerned gynecologist and pen down the list of things to eat during pregnancy. Nutrition is not only important to the infant but the mother as well.  

5. Soybean for healthy bones 

Soybeans have high mineral and vitamin content. The impressive levels of zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, and calcium in soybean help in keeping the bones stronger and healthy. All these elements in soy can help in promoting the osteotropic activity, allowing the new bones to grow, making the existing ones stronger, and speed up the bone healing process. Doctors and health experts believe that eating soybean can be a long-term solution for treating problems like osteoporosis, which is a common condition affecting the old age. With that said, you must include soybean in your daily diet to ensure your bones are strong and can evade any diseases. 

6. Aids healthy digestion 

Dietary fiber is present in soybean in high quantities. Dietary fiber is essential for total body functioning and plays a vital role in the digestive system. Fiber helps in bulking up your stool, allowing it to move through the intestines smoothly and exit the body. Fiber helps in stimulating the peristaltic motion in the body, which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive system that push food through the system. People suffering from constipation are recommended to consume fiber-rich foods as it helps proper bowel movements. Constipation, if not looked into, can lead to some serious conditions like bleeding, pain while clearing the bowel, and even colorectal cancer. Soybean is a fiber-rich food source that also contains oligosaccharides, a carbohydrate that is known to stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria, acting as a prebiotic. 

7. Relieve menopausal symptoms

 

Soybean contains isoflavones in abundance, which is a vital component of the female reproductive system. When women reach menopause, they experience a drastic drop in estrogen levels. This can lead to several menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, abdominal cramps, hunger pains, mood swings, etc. Isoflavones bind the estrogen receptors in a way that your body doesn’t feel the change. Including soybean in your daily diet can help in relieving menopausal symptoms… to be continued on Saturday.  

Categories: Food And Nutrition