Soy Soy. What is it good for?

1. Which nutrient group does soy belong too? Protein

2. What % of soy is made of this nutrient? Protein - 37- 40% Carbs – 30% Lipids – 20% H2O – 8% Trace amount of vitamins & minerals

3. Which foods does soy serve as a replacement for? Animal products (meat & dairy group)

4. List at least 5 foods that contain soy. Tofu Tacos Baby formula Burgers Milk Also, used extensively in school lunch programs, commercial baked goods, fast food products and diet beverages.

5. List some possible negatives effects of soy consumption. Increase the risk of breast cancer Affect brain function in men Lead to hidden developmental ab-normalities in infants Raise estrogen levels Alter sexual development (in animals) Change the timing of a woman’s menstrual cycle

6. Which hormone is affected by soy? Estrogen

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Relieve certain menopausal symptoms cancer prevention 7. Soy beans are “good” because they are high in phytochemicals/isoflavones. What are their function in the body? Relieve certain menopausal symptoms cancer prevention slowing or reversing osteoporosis reduce the risk of heart disease

Phytic acid is also called an anti-nutrient 8. Soybeans are “bad” because they contain phytic acid. What does phytic acid do to the body? Phytic acid is also called an anti-nutrient Soybeans have higher levels of phytic acid than any other legume It must also be noted that this may be of particular concern with regard to babies who are using soy-based infant formulas.

9. What is crop rotation? Crop rotation or Crop sequencing is the practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons for various benefits such as to avoid the build up of pathogens and pests that often occurs when one species is continuously cropped. Crop rotation also seeks to balance the fertility demands of various crops to avoid excessive depletion of soil nutrients.

10. What is the relationship between crop rotation, soy and corn? Soy replaces nitrogen in the soil so it is usually paired up with corn and/or wheat

11. How are crop rotation, HFCS use and the use of soy all related? A farmer can rotate corn for HFCS and soy for use as a “protein substitute” in other foods Economically driven

Soy is used in other products too. 12. In Part 1, # 5, you listed some negative effects of soy consumption. Other countries that consume soy don’t have these problems. Why is the consumption of soy so high in this country? Soy is used in other products too.

13. Are soy beans digestible by humans in their natural, unprocessed state? No

14. What deficiencies can soy actually cause 14. What deficiencies can soy actually cause? (HINT: minerals, enzymes, growth..) Deficiencies of magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Enzyme-inhibitors block uptake of trypsin and other enzymes which the body needs for protein digestion. Harmful antinutrients which can cause serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and can lead to chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. Hemagglutinin and trypsin inhibitors are both "growth depressant" substances.

15. What is being done in the lab to fix these deficiency issues?