Soybeans started growing in ancient China, it is also popular in Japan and neighboring Asian countries, where it took the place of the main product of national Oriental cuisine. Soy is a family of beans and serves as a source of vegetable protein. The French were the first in Europe to discover soybeans in the 18th century. Being a full-fledged replacement for products of animal origin, soybeans continue its victorious procession around the world. It is widely used in vegetarian cuisine, it is also a dietary tool in the therapy of obesity.
The use of soy is due to the fact that it contains a full-fledged protein, in no way inferior to proteins of animal origin. Soy also contains fats, carbohydrates, fiber and such an important substance for the human body as lecithin, which regulates cholesterol in the blood, it takes a direct part in the process of recovery of brain cells and is able to suppress the accumulation of fats in the liver. Lecithin preserves a person's youth, enhancing memory, concentration, sexual and motor activity. The soy contains such substances useful for the body as genestein and phytic acid, which inhibit the growth of malignant tumors, they serve for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Also, there is a benefit from the constant use of soybeans - it helps to remove radionuclides from our body, which, most likely, is the reason for longevity among Asian peoples.
Sometimes people do not tolerate proteins of animal origin - this is expressed in the manifestations of allergic reactions, such people should look at soy, as a full-fledged alternative to meat and milk proteins. It is recommended to use soy products to people suffering from ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, chronic cholecystitis, hypertension. And this is not the whole list of diseases in which soy consumption is indicated, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, arthritis, arthrosis and other problems with the musculoskeletal system.
However, about the harm of soybeans should be said. Despite the fact that the properties of this legume plant are widely advertised by food producers, soy can have a depressing effect on the endocrine gland system, because it contains isoflavones - substances similar to the female hormone estrogen. Therefore, children who eat soy foods are highly undesirable because they may experience hormonal imbalances, disrupt the thyroid gland, early onset of the cycle in girls, and boys, on the contrary, may experience a slowdown in physical development. Although, in general, isoflavones and have a rather great benefit for the female body, nevertheless doctors do not recommend pregnant women to eat soy products, because they can lead to the pathology of the brain of the embryo.
According to recent research data of scientists, they came to the conclusion that eating soy products in large quantities can have a bad effect on cerebral circulation and lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, soy products are not recommended for people prone to the formation of stones and sand in the kidneys and in the bladder due to the high content of oxalic acid in soy.
To date, the scientific world can not reach a consensus on the benefits and harms of soy. Presumably, if soy is naturally grown, and not a genetically modified product, then the beneficial qualities of this product significantly outweigh its harmful properties. From all this it is necessary to conclude that the use of soy products is an independent decision of each individual person.