Scientific research continues to demonstrate the potential benefits that a diet that includes soy protein products might have for a woman’s health. Among them, scientific studies report that the consumption of soy protein products may help in many areas: heart disease risk reduction per the FDA (Medical References 1-4), weight loss (Medical References 6-10), and hot flash relief (Medical References 11-14).
Recent studies have confirmed the latter of these three. This lead to an FDA-approved heart health claim. These studies indicate that eating 25 grams of soy protein daily, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may help reduce risk of heart disease (Medical References 1-4). Thus, healthy heart support is one way by which soy might improve a woman’s health.
Being overweight negatively impacts a woman’s physical and emotional health, so maintaining a normal body weight has multiple positive overall benefits. Recent human studies show that soy protein products may help support reductions in body weight, fat mass, and waist size in overweight individuals (Medical References 6–10). One observational study suggested that higher amounts of isoflavones are associated with lower body weight, total body fat mass, and waist size (Medical Reference 10).
Soy consumption also appears to support a woman’s health by providing support for midlife menopausal health. Scientific evidence indicates that soy products help reduce menopause discomforts like hot flashes and night sweats (Medical References 11-14).
Overall, results from scientific research suggest that a woman’s health can improve with soy protein products. Health benefits may include support for heart and menopausal health, as well as help for weight loss and dieting. These beneficial effects might help to improve a woman’s health overall.
References
1. Anderson JW, Johnstone BM, Cook-Newell ME. Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids. New England Journal of Medicine 195; 333:276-282.
2. Zhan S, Ho SC. Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on the lipid profile. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005; 81:397-408.
3. Sacks FM, Lichtenstein A, Van Horn L, Harris W, Kris-Etherton P, Winston M for the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Soy protein, isoflavones, and cardiovascular health. An American Heart Association Science Advisory for Professionals from the Nutrition Committee. Circulation 2006; 113:(Rapid Online Publication; doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.171052).
4. Anderson JW. Soy food effects on serum lipoproteins in humans: an updated meta-analysis. 6th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2005, Chicago, IL.
5. Messina M, Ho S, Alekel DL. Skeletal benefits of soy isoflavones: a review of the clinical trial and epidemiologic data. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 2004; 9:649-658.
6. Deibert P, Konig D, Schmidt-Trucksaess A, Zaenker KS, Frey I, Landmann U, Berg A. Weight loss without losing muscle mass in pre-obese and obese subjects induced by a high-soy-protein diet. International Journal of Obesity 2004; 28:1349-1352 (doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802765 Published online 10 August 2004)
7. Allison DB, Gadbury G, Schwartz LG, Murugesan R, Kraker JL, Heshka S, Fontaine KR, Heymsfield SB. A novel soy-based meal replacement formula for weight loss among obese individuals: a randomized controlled clinical trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003; 57:514-522
8. Fontaine KR, Yang D, Gadbury GL, Heshka S, Schwartz LG, Murugesan R, Kraker JL, Heo M, Heymsfield SB, Allison DB. Results of a soy-based meal replacement formula on weight, anthropometry, serum lipids & blood pressure during a 40-week clinical weight loss trial. BMC Nutrition Journal 2003; 2:14-20.
9. Anderson JW, Fuller J, Patterson K, Blair R, Tabor A. Soy compared to casein meal replacement shakes with energy-restricted diets for obese women: randomized, controlled trial. Metabolism 2007; 56:280-288.
10. Goodman-Gruen D, Kritz-Silverstein D. Usual dietary isoflavone intake and body composition in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2003; 10:427-432.
11. Han KK, Soares JM, Haidar MA, de Lima GR, Baracat EC. Benefits of soy isoflavone therapeutic regimen on menopausal symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:389-394.
12. Crisafulli A, Marini H, Bitto A, Altavilla D, Squadrito G, Romeo A, Adamo EB, Marini R, D’Anna R, Corrado F, Bartolone S, Frisina N, Squadrito F. Effects of genistein on hot flushes in early postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind EPT- and placebo-controlled study. Menopause. 2004;11:400-404.
13. Nahas EP, Neto JN, de Luca L, Traiman P, Pontes A, Dalben I. Benefits of soy germ isoflavones in postmenopausal women with contraindication for conventional hormone replacement therapy. Maturitas. 2004:48:372-380.
14. Messina M, Hughes C. Efficacy of soyfoods and soybean isoflavone supplements for alleviating menopausal symptoms is positively related to initial hot flush frequency. J Med Food. 2003;6:1-11.
15. Hirota T, Kusu T, Hirota K. Improvement of nutrition stimulates bone mineral gain in Japanese school children and adolescents. Osteoporosis International 2005; Published online February 3, 2005; doi: 10.1007/s00198-004-1804-1.