Soy Diet: Soybean, Your key to successful weight loss
Soybeans are one of the few plant sources of complete protein with all eight essential amino acids. Soybeans also contain phyto-estrogens (oestrogens) which help to reduce menopause symptoms and may help prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis.
Like most beans, soybeans are rich in the best sort of fiber - soluble fiber - which helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body. They are a useful source of folate, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, phosphorous and manganese.
Why should you include soy in your diet?
Soy is an incredible and unique food. Soy is the only complete plant protein that contains all 9 es-sential amino acids, and has other added benefits such as omega-3s and isoflavones. Including soy in your diet is an easy way to increase nutrition in your diet. It is low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free, and high in many important nutrients, such as vitamins, calcium and potassium.
Scientific research & studies
Current research being conducted at the University of Illinois on lab rats is demonstrating -- when soy consumption goes up, an individual's weight goes down. Scientists discovered that soy consumption increased metabolism in lab rats. Scientists compared soy peptides with leptin. Leptin is a hormone released by your fat cells. Although it has a number of functions, one of leptin's main roles is to let your brain know when your stomach is full. In addition, several animal and human studies have suggested that when soy is used as a source of dietary protein, it may have several biological effects on the body that might help with weight loss. In fact, a preliminary study found that people trying to lose weight using a meal-replacement formula containing soy protein lost more weight than a group not using any formula.
How do soy beans help in weight loss?
It has been suggested that soy does have an effect on those mechanisms and hormones that are induced in the body to help us degrade lipids and reduce body weight, but it actually does so by boosting metabolism and not by reducing food intake.
Role of lecithin: Soybeans contain lecithin; this chemical will shield your cells from accumulating fat. It also prevents, like a shield, fat from forming on your cells. It will also break down fatty deposits in your body.
It has also been suggested that soybeans promoter “satiety” to control weight loss. Satiety is the feeling of fullness, which can help facilitate appetite control. The sooner that a person feels satiated, the lower the total calorie intake. Soy protein plays an important role in satiety because protein has been found to help slow down the absorption of food in the body, resulting in less between-meal snacking, greater portion control and overall healthful weight management.
Recommended quantity
Experts say that to receive the full benefits of soy isoflavones, a health expert panel advocates 160 mg a day, which is approximately the amount contained in 6 glasses of soy milk or 6 servings of tofu. Eat soybeans at least 3 times a week and you'll be boosting your body’s ability to get rid of fat. You can find soybeans in most health food stores.
Related Articles
Add new comment