Unfolding The Truth About Soy: Is It Really That Bad?

By: Marcela Camargo and Kimberly McIntyre

Soybeans originated thousands of years ago in China. It wasn’t until the mid 1950s that they began to be produced in other parts of the world, including the Americas. 

Ever since, soybeans (and soy foods in general) have gained more and more popularity and are now present in many products, including packaged foods, salad dressings, cookies, cakes, and pies. On the other hand, there has also been an emerging controversy over this legume, especially during the last few years. An ongoing debate keeps raising questions among experts on whether soy is beneficial for our health, or the complete opposite.

But the answer to those questions is not so black and white. 

THE TWO SIDES OF SOY

Despite what some might think, soy has many health benefits. According to Better Health, soy is a high-quality protein that may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, and it could also help improve bone health. It may also help improve memory, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.  

So why does soy have such a bad rep if it can provide so many benefits? 

If you pay close attention to nutritional labels present in different packaged foods, you may encounter “soybean oil” on the majority of the items. That’s when the other side of soy comes into play. 

While soy may provide several health benefits, the problem arises with the fact that so many foods now contain the highly processed form of soy. Soy (specifically soybean oil) is being consumed in quantities that might be harmful to health. According to Dr. Axe, soybean oil (and other vegetable oils) is high in omega-6 fatty acids. While fatty acids are important for several bodily functions, when omega-6 fatty acids are out of balance, it can contribute to inflammation and other digestive issues.

Soybean oil can also lead to neurological issues, obesity, and an increased risk of heart disease. During production, this oil goes through a high-heat process, which is proven to be very harmful for our health. To put this into perspective, oils like extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are “cold-pressed,” meaning they don’t go through the high-heat temperature processing like many vegetable oils do. Experts agree that cold-pressed is the best way for the oil to retain its nutrients (like healthy fats and antioxidants), making them a healthy addition to our diet.

Moreover, the majority of soy grown in the United States is genetically modified, which brings a whole new set of concerns.

GMO SOYBEANS

According to Environmental Working Group (EWG), almost all corn and soybeans in the country are genetically modified to withstand glyphosate, which is the active ingredient in the famous herbicide named “Roundup.” However, EWG estimates that more than 60 million acres of the country’s farmland are now infested with weeds that are resistant to this synthetic compound.

And what happens when crops become resistant to a certain herbicide? Add even more chemicals.

The resistance to this herbicide has led farmers to add more chemicals to the crops including 2,4-D, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease and thyroid issues.

Genetically modified foods can also cause an allergic reaction because they are injected with other components. So while some people think they are allergic to soy, the allergy might stem from what it has been injected with, and not the soybean itself.

THE RIGHT WAY TO EAT SOY

The key to enjoy soy in a safe and healthy way is by doing it in moderation, eating only organic, and eliminating the use of soybean oil altogether. It is imperative to read the ingredients list on food labels and to pay close attention to whether that product contains soybean oil or not.

Pay close attention to items like mayonnaise, salad dressings, frozen foods, crackers, and bread. There might be some foods that you eat regularly that you had no idea they contained soy.

Lastly, try to get as many organic products as possible and look for the “‘Non-GMO” label. When trying to reach optimal health, it is crucial that we eat foods that are in their most raw form as possible to avoid the toxicity of external factors.

The bottomline is, soy is not bad for you — it is what agricultural companies are doing with it that could be harming your health. For that reason, it is important we start making more educated choices and start paying attention to the ingredients in our foods. Soy has so many health benefits if we do it the right way.

Don’t let soy rob your joy!