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Soybeans are truly one of nature’s superfoods which now grow
in many countries around the world like: America, Brazil, Argentina,
China and India. They provide high protein, low cholesterol
and are extremely versatile. The soybean can be used to make
soy milk, soy ice cream, soy cheese, tofu, soy chips and even
delicious simulated soy meats! With the help of today’s
technology, soy is also being used to make cosmetics, such as
face creams, and fabrics for luxurious bed sheets.
The soy bean is a member of the pea family and was
one of the earliest crops planted around five thousand years
ago. Tofu, a food that is derived from soy, was popular as far
back as two thousand years ago during the Han dynasty in China.
North America and Europe are only now waking up to soy’s
amazing benefits for a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the Canadian
government recently recognized soy as an essential part of a
healthy diet by including it in Canada’s Food Guide
to Healthy Eating.
Dr. Alison M. Duncan of the University of Guelph
in Ontario, Canada, a nutritional expert who has spent years
researching the dietary benefits of soy, says it “has
all the essential amino acids and can really provide an adequate
source of protein for someone who is looking for an alternative
source of protein rather than meat, so that is a really important
component of soybeans.”
Professor Duncan observes that people living in Asian
countries that consume more soy, have a significantly lower
rate of diseases like breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis
and heart disease. She says, “Soybeans have a phytochemical
called isoflavone, and that is a specific phytochemical in soy
that has been studied quite a lot in relation to various illnesses.”
Meat from animals on the other hand does not contain the stress-reducing
phytochemicals so vital to fighting preventable diseases.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports
that only 25 grams of soy protein a day in a low-fat, low-cholesterol
diet may lower cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of
heart disease.
On the topic of women’s health, Ms. Davis says
that, “menopausal women who eat soy don’t experience
as much of the flushing and the various other symptoms that
other women do. Studies show that women in Asia, for example,
have less breast-cancer than women over here in North America,
and that can be attributed to their intake of soy products.”
Ms. Beverly Davis, a registered dietician and the
Regional Coordinator for the Coronary Health Improvement Project
(CHIP) in Ontario, Canada, has a lot of positive things to say
about soy. She states, “… the good thing about soybeans
is that you are not going to get the fat, you’re not going
to get the bacteria …”; adding that soy is “on
par with meat with respect to its protein profile, but it’s
got so many more advantages, health advantages.”
Soy also helps preserve our planet’s precious
natural resources. Another major benefit of relying on soy protein
as compared to beef protein is that the water used for one complete
vegan meal with tofu, rice and vegetables is only 98 gallons,
whereas one serving of beef uses over 1,200 gallons. Soy really
is beneficial in regards to human health, the sustainability
of the Earth and also for saving many animals’ lives.
For those wanting to shift to a vegetarian diet,
soy is such an easy food to use that most newcomers would adapt
quickly to using it. Tofu has a sponge-like ability to easily
absorb flavors when cooked or mixed with sauces or marinades.
For example, if you are cooking Indian cuisine, then all you
have to do is add the tofu to the Indian spices cooking in the
oil. For a western breakfast, you can crumble it up; add some
veggies and spices to make tofu scrambled eggs, adding some
soy bacon on the side. Another worldwide favorite, Japanese
miso soup, contains tofu and soy paste and is very delicious.
Vegetarian soy foods also come in chicken and fish flavors.
If you are vegan, then there are a wide variety of soy dairy
foods to choose from. In fact, soy is so versatile; it can literally
replace all of the harmful foods our society has been accustomed
to eating: eggs, fish, meat and dairy.
So as you can see, there are endless possibilities
and uses with the soy bean. It is truly a “food of the
Gods” that is easy to prepare and provides enough nutrients
to feed our bodies. With all these benefits, people can be assured
that adding more soy to your diet is a healthy and wise choice,
for you and the planet.
To view Supreme Master Television’s
program about nutritious and healthy soy, please click on the
link: http://video.Godsdirectcontact.net/magazine/AW669_676.php
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