Although soy products are nutritious, rich in protein, and have excellent color, aroma, and taste, they are not suitable for everyone. People suffering from the following conditions should avoid or consume them with caution.
1. Peptic Ulcer
Patients with severe peptic ulcers should not consume soy products such as soybeans, fava beans, tofu shreds, or dried tofu, as they are high in purines and can stimulate gastric acid secretion. The dietary fiber in whole beans can also cause mechanical damage to the gastric mucosa. The oligosaccharides in beans, such as stachyose and raffinose, cannot be digested by digestive enzymes but can be fermented by intestinal bacteria, producing small gas molecules that can lead to symptoms like belching, bowel sounds, bloating, and abdominal pain.
2. Gastritis
Patients with acute gastritis and chronic superficial gastritis should also avoid soy products to prevent stimulation of gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal bloating.
3. Kidney Disease
Patients with nephritis, renal failure, and those on kidney dialysis should follow a low-protein diet. To meet the body's basic needs, they should choose foods within a limited range that are rich in essential amino acids and low in non-essential amino acids. Compared to animal proteins, beans contain higher levels of non-essential amino acids, so they should be avoided.
4. Diabetic Nephropathy
The main complication causing death in diabetic patients is diabetic nephropathy. When patients have urea nitrogen retention, they should not consume soy products.
5. Typhoid Fever
Although patients with long-term high fever from typhoid should consume a high-calorie, high-protein diet, during the acute and recovery phases, drinking soy milk should be avoided to prevent bloating and gas production.
6. Acute Pancreatitis
During an acute pancreatitis attack, patients can drink clear, high-carbohydrate liquids, but should avoid soy milk and other substances that stimulate gastric and pancreatic juice secretion.
7. Gout
The pathogenesis of gout is a disorder of purine metabolism, characterized by hyperuricemia. This disease is more common in affluent families, where a high-protein, high-fat diet can easily trigger gout. Dietary proteins are often combined with nucleic acids to form nucleoproteins. Nucleic acids break down into purines, which are then broken down into uric acid. Therefore, foods high in purines must be avoided during the acute phase, including dried beans and soy products. Even during the remission phase, their consumption should be limited.
8. Galactose and Lactose Intolerance
Because these patients lack enzymes related to the digestion and metabolism of galactose and lactose, they should avoid foods containing lactose in their diet. When stachyose and raffinose in soy foods are broken down in the intestine, they can produce some galactose. Therefore, severe patients should avoid soy products to prevent aggravating their condition.
9. Phenylketonuria
This is a common congenital metabolic disorder in children. The main treatment for this condition is to control the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood by consuming specially formulated low-phenylalanine foods, while also avoiding or limiting the intake of protein-rich foods such as soy products and animal-based foods.
People with the above conditions should pay attention to their intake of soy products, as consuming them indiscriminately can lead to serious consequences. Please be mindful of your daily diet.