Soybeans are healthy for women.

Introduction: "Women who eat a lot of soybeans may experience abnormal estrogen secretion due to the isoflavones in soybeans, increasing the risk of breast cancer" – perhaps most people have come across such news from different sources. However, in reality, this is a baseless accusation against soybeans. Scientific evidence shows that soybeans and their products are rich in nutrients and offer various health benefits. Not only do they not increase the risk of breast cancer, but they can also prevent it.

Soybeans in Oyster Sauce

I. Soybeans are rich in high-quality protein, and 30-50 grams should be consumed daily

According to the "Chinese Dietary Guidelines for Residents," adults should consume 30-50 grams of legumes and nuts daily. The so-called legumes refer to beans such as soybeans, black beans, and edamame, as well as their processed products like tofu, soy milk, and bean curd skin. Soybeans were called "shu" in ancient times and were one of the five grains. As the saying goes, "the five grains nurture," which means ancient people knew that soybeans played an irreplaceable and important role in human health. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that soybeans are sweet in nature and neutral, entering the spleen and large intestine meridians. They can neutralize the poison of aconite and monkshood, and have effects such as strengthening the spleen, replenishing qi, relieving middle jiao, moistening dryness, and reducing edema. They can be used for conditions like spleen deficiency, indigestion, malnutrition, diarrhea, abdominal distension, emaciation, pregnancy poisoning, sores, carbuncles, swelling, toxins, and external bleeding.

Trotter and Soybean Soup

From a nutritional perspective, the most notable component of soybeans is its high-quality protein, which is why tofu is called "vegetable meat." Soy protein is the only high-quality protein provided by plants. Every 100 grams of soybeans contain 30 grams of high-quality protein, making it the only source of high-quality protein for vegetarians. Soybeans contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, various trace elements, vitamins, and high-quality protein. After processing, soybeans can be made into many types of bean products, which are beneficial for patients with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases. Soybeans are rich in protein and contain a relatively complete set of amino acids, especially lysine, which compensates for the lysine deficiency in grains. Therefore, grains and legumes should be eaten together to achieve protein complementarity.

Spicy and Marinated Soybeans

II. Eating more soybeans not only doesn't "destroy breasts" but can "protect them"

For women, breast cancer has gradually become one of the biggest health and life safety concerns. Online rumors claim that "soybeans contain isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen that may induce excessive estrogen secretion, and estrogen secretion can lead to the development of breast cancer." However, breast cancer experts point out that this is a completely unfounded "charge." The isoflavones in soybeans are indeed a type of phytoestrogen, but plant estrogens are completely different from animal estrogens in the human body. Not only do they not cause the human body to secrete excessive estrogen, but they can inhibit the production of estrogen in the body. High estrogen levels are one of the main causes of breast cancer. Experiments have shown that the group of rats that regularly consumed soy powder had a 70% lower incidence of breast cancer compared to those that did not. Scientific research has confirmed that consuming an appropriate amount of soybeans daily not only does not cause breast cancer but can also effectively prevent it. Coupled with the various excellent nutrients in soybeans, nutrition experts recommend that people consume 30-50 grams of soybeans and their products daily according to the dietary guidelines.

Kelp and Soybean Salad