Soyabean, Soy bean or Soybean is an edible leguminous crop which belongs to the family of Fabaceae and the order of Fabales. Soybeans are native to East Asia and are highly grown in India as well. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet often use soybean to replace meat for protein. The soybean is economically the most important bean in the world, providing vegetable protein for millions of people and ingredients for hundreds of chemical products.
Traditional unfermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk, from which tofu and tofu skin are made. Fermented soy foods include soy sauce, fermented bean paste, nattō, and tempeh. Fat-free (defatted) soybean meal is a significant and cheap source of protein for animal feeds and many packaged meals. For example, soybean products, such as textured vegetable protein (TVP), are ingredients in many meat and dairy substitutes.
Foods containing soy have also been shown to have several health benefits. For example, the health benefits of soybean for menopausal women include lowered risk of osteoporosis, protection from coronary heart disease, and fewer hot flushes. According to experts, including soybean in your daily diet can help you maintain a healthy body as well as overall well-being.
Below are some health benefits of soyabean:
- IT CAN BOOST BRAIN FUNCTION.
Soybeans are a great source of essential fatty acids that promote cognitive health. So soybeans should be on your list if you’re looking for food that can help keep your brain sharp.
- IT CAN AID IN CIRCULATING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS.
As one of the foods with the lowest glycemic index, soybeans prevent a sharp rise or dip in blood sugar levels.
They have isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogen, in them. The body can utilize glucose more effectively with the aid of isoflavones. This helps maintain steady blood sugar levels and avoid spikes and dips.
- IT REDUCE MENOPAUSE SYPTOMS.
Many women experience menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Soy beans contain genistein, a type of phytoestrogen, which may decrease estrogen production in the body. Because soybeans contain less estrogen than meat does, they may provide relief for menopausal symptoms.
- SOYBEAN IMPROVE YOUR MOOD.
Eating soybeans regularly may help improve your mood. Eating soybeans may improve your mood because they contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and calmness.
- SOYABEAN CAN IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH.
Soybeans are full of vitamin C, an essential nutrient for skin health. Vitamin C protects skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and helps repair damaged skin cells.
Plus, soybeans are a good source of antioxidants, which help to protect your skin from free radicals. Unchecked free radicals damage your skin cells, leading to premature aging.
REFERRENCES:
- Seed Proteins; Peter R. Shewery and Rod Casey (Eds) 1999. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
- “EU Caught in Quandary Over GMO Animal Feed Imports”. The Guardian. December 7, 2007.
ARTICLE BY ANUM JUSTICE GIDEON OBODAI.