HIERBAS BUENAS - From the Family of Good Herbs
SOYBEAN: THE BEST SOURCE OF VEGETABLE
PROTEIN AND ISOFLAVONES

Soybean is a legume. According to traditional Chinese medical (TMC) classification, soybean and soybean products have a heat-clearing nature and sweet taste. Soybeans moistens conditions of dryness.
Soybean has a high protein content (38%). It boosts mild secretion in nursing mothers and is used to treat childhood malnourishment. Soybean contains more protein than cow’s milk without the saturated fat or cholesterol.

Raw soybeans are hard to digest, because they inhibit the digestive enzyme trypsin. Therefore, all soybeans, green tender ones or mature dried ones, yellow ones or black ones, have to be well cooked. The fermentation process in making tofu, tempeh, miso, and soy sauce also eliminates the trypsin-inhibiting effect.

Soybean sprouts make a delicious vegetarian soup stock. As a matter of fact, the Asian vegetarian diet boasts a great repertoire of soybean and soybean products prepared in numerous variations. There are entire cookbooks devoted to tofu dishes. Fermented black bean (also a member of the soybean family) mixed with minced garlic provides the base for the spicy “black bean sauce.”

Soybean is concentrated in essential fatty acids (EFAs), including omega-3, which plays an important role in balancing the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), that are commonly referred to as the “bad cholesterol”, and high density lipoproteins (HDLs), that are commonly referred to as the “good cholesterol.” Unlike cholesterols, EFAs are not produced by the human body and must be gotten from dietary fats and oils.

Soybean is also rich in isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are known to ease menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, PMS symptoms, and bone loss. Soy protein and isoflavones have been shown to protect the arteries, lower cholesterol, and aid in the prevention of breast and uterine cancer. The lower breast cancer rate of Japanese women, according to reports by the World Health Organization (WHO), is attributed to the dietary factor that Japanese women consumer more vegetables and soybean products.

However, it is necessary to point out that soybean and soybean products are good for people of all ages, male or female. As the body grows and ages, isoflavones help with bone density, balance cholesterol, maintains libido and heart health.

In the United States, due to the stressful lifestyle and sugar laden die, a lot of people complain of hypoglycemia which is characterized by low blood sugar, chronic fatigue, headaches, sweet craving, depression, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings.

Soybean, black beans, and tofu are recommended along with mild exercise and regular meal schedule to overcome such conditions. Soybean mild is a superior substitute for cow’s ilk, especially for people who are lactose intolerant, Soybeans and tofu are also desirable food for people with diabetes.

April 1999