Rediscovering the Lost Art of Soy Preparation: Minimizing Excessive Plant Estrogen Exposure

Posted on: Tuesday, May 28th 2024 at 3:00 am

Written By: 

GreenMedInfo Research Group

In an era where soy foods have become ubiquitous in the Western diet, concerns over the potential health risks associated with consuming high levels of plant estrogens, or isoflavones, have risen to the forefront. However, a closer examination of traditional soy preparation methods reveals an ancient wisdom that modern science is only beginning to appreciate - a wisdom that may hold the key to mitigating these risks and unlocking the true nutritional potential of this versatile legume.

Soy is a staple food in many Asian cultures, prized for its high protein content, versatility, and potential health benefits. However, soybeans are also the most significant dietary source of isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.1 While moderate consumption of soy foods has been associated with various health benefits, excessive intake of these estrogenic compounds has been linked to potential adverse effects, particularly in certain sensitive populations.2

Intriguingly, a recent study published in the journal Foods has shed light on how traditional soy preparation methods, passed down through generations in Asian cultures, may significantly reduce the isoflavone content of soy foods compared to modern commercial processing techniques.3 The researchers found that by employing simple water treatments such as soaking, boiling, and discarding the cooking water, the levels of the primary soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, could be reduced by up to 80-90% in foods like soy milk and tofu.3

These findings align with historical accounts indicating that in ancient times, soybeans were rarely consumed without first being thoroughly soaked and boiled, often with multiple changes of water.4 This process, while time-consuming, allowed for the leaching out of water-soluble antinutrients and estrogenic compounds, resulting in a more digestible and potentially safer food product. In contrast, many modern commercial soy foods are produced using more rapid, high-heat processing methods like steaming, which may preserve or even concentrate isoflavones.3

The study's authors suggest that the markedly lower isoflavone content of traditionally prepared soy foods may partly explain the apparent discrepancy between the high soy intake and low blood isoflavone levels observed in some Asian populations compared to Western populations.3 This implies that the estimated isoflavone exposure in Asian countries, often based on consumption of commercially processed soy foods, may be significantly overestimated.

While isoflavones are not inherently harmful and may even offer benefits for some individuals, such as relieving menopausal symptoms,5 excessive intake has been associated with potential endocrine disruption, particularly in sensitive populations like infants and young children.6 By rediscovering and embracing the wisdom of traditional soy preparation methods, we may be able to strike a balance between reaping the nutritional benefits of soy while minimizing the risks associated with excessive isoflavone exposure.

Of course, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health implications of different soy processing methods and to establish safe upper limits for isoflavone intake. However, this study serves as a powerful reminder that the answers to many of our modern health concerns may lie in the time-honored traditions of our ancestors. By marrying the best of ancient wisdom with cutting-edge scientific research, we can continue to harness the power of plant foods like soy in a way that optimizes their benefits and minimizes their potential risks.

To learn more about the benefits of soy, visit the GreenMedInfo database on the subject here. 

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References

1. Bennetau-Pelissero C. Plant Proteins from Legumes. In: Mérillon JM, Ramawat K, eds. Bioactive Molecules in Food. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer; 2018:223-266. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-78030-6_63

2. Canivenc-Lavier MC, Bennetau-Pelissero C. Phytoestrogens and Health Effects. Nutrients. 2023;15(2):317. doi:10.3390/nu15020317

3. Bensaada S, Peruzzi G, Cubizolles L, Denayrolles M, Bennetau-Pelissero C. Traditional and Domestic Cooking Dramatically Reduce Estrogenic Isoflavones in Soy Foods. Foods. 2024;13(7):999. doi:10.3390/foods13070999

4. Baraibar Norberg M, Deutsh L. The first soybean cycle (domestication to 900 CE). In: The Soybean Through World History. Lessons for Sustainable Agrofood Systems. 1st ed. Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment Taylor & Francis; 2023:22-56.

5. Chen MN, Lin CC, Liu CF. Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Climacteric. 2015;18(2):260-269. doi:10.3109/13697137.2014.966241

6. Upson K, Adgent MA, Wegienka G, Baird DD. Soy-based infant formula feeding and menstrual pain in a cohort of women aged 23-35 years. Hum Reprod. 2019;34(1):148-154. doi:10.1093/humrep/dey303