One of the most important health issues in the world right now is cancer. A lot of people want to find ways to lower their chances of getting cancer. One option could be to eat more foods that are made from soy.
A new study looked at how soy, soy isoflavones, and soy protein raise or lower the chance of getting cancer. In simple words, here’s what you need to know.
What is Soy?
The plant that makes soy is a legume, like corn and peas. Tofu, soy milk, miso, and tempeh are all made from soy.
Soy isoflavones and soy protein are two important nutrients that come from soy. These nutrients may be good for your health in many ways, like lowering your risk of heart disease and making your bones stronger.
Can Eating Soy Reduce Cancer Risk?
The study looked at information from 81 different research papers. The study found that people who ate more soy had a 10% lower chance of getting cancer than people who ate little or no soy. In other words, soy might help keep you from getting cancer.
Key Findings:
- Each 25 grams of soy per day reduces cancer risk by 4%.
- Soy isoflavones (found in soy) were linked to a 6% lower risk of cancer.
- The strongest protective effects were seen for lung cancer (33% lower risk) and prostate cancer (12% lower risk).
- Soy protein alone did not show a clear benefit.
Does Soy Help Prevent All Types of Cancer?
Soy seems to be more effective in reducing the risk of certain cancers, such as:
- Lung cancer: People who ate the most soy had a 33% lower risk.
- Prostate cancer: A 12% lower risk was observed.
- Breast cancer: Some studies suggest that soy may help, especially in postmenopausal women.
However, the study did not find strong evidence that soy prevents all types of cancer.
Does Eating Soy Help Cancer Patients Live Longer?
The study found that soy does not seem to help people who already have cancer live longer. In other words, soy may help keep you from getting cancer, but it might not help treat cancer once it’s happened.
How Much Soy Should You Eat?
If you want to include more soy in your diet for cancer prevention, here are some easy ways to do it:
- 1 cup of soy milk (about 7g of soy protein and 25mg of soy isoflavones)
- Half a cup of tofu (about 10g of soy protein)
- 1 tablespoon of miso (contains beneficial soy compounds)
- A handful of edamame (young soybeans packed with nutrients)
Some people are worried that soy could mess with hormones, especially in men and women who have had breast cancer in the past. But studies have shown that most people can safely eat some soy, and it may even be good for their health.
Conclusion
Adding soy to your food may be an easy and natural way to lower your risk of getting cancer. There is no magic bullet for cancer, but many studies have found a link between soy and a lower risk of getting it. As a healthy plant-based source of protein that may also help fight cancer, soy is a great pick.
Final Tip: Try including different soy-based foods in your diet and see what works best for you. Always consult your doctor if you have concerns about your diet and health.