There is an increasing interest in soybean today, not only because it is an excellent meat substitute (and much cheaper than meat) but also because it is rich source of protective substances and dietary fibers, deficient in average person diet. The main characteristic of soybean, and the thing which distinguish out soy from other beans (Leguminosae) is high content of good proteins. Soybean is vegetable food which contains 7 amino acids without which human organism could not work.
In 100 g of soybeans, there is 7 grams of water, very favorable ratio of fatty acids (3 g of saturated fatty acids, 4 g of monosaturated, 12 g of polyunsaturated fatty acids, of which 11 g is linoleic acid) and 5 g cellulose (dietary) fibers. It contains polysaccharide dextrin which is very important for diabetics, due to the fact that it does not allow fast increasing of blood glucose level. Soybean does not contain cholesterol and almost no hard to digest fatty acids (saturated) which abound in all animal foods. It is an excellent source of lecithin and vitamin E. These natural antioxidants prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Soybean is also rich in magnesium, which have important role in the work of the heart, arteries and bones.

Good health effects of soybean

Soybean shows many beneficial health effect thanks to soy proteins and sorts of isoflavones called Einstein and diademing.
Soybean consumption improves bone health: soy products, such as soy milk, do not contain much calcium, but soy isoflavones may reduce osteoporosis risk. Several researches indicate that isoflavones which are found in soy may be the factor of prevention of bone mass loss. It seems that an isoflavon called genistein prevents bone breaking and has similar influence like that of estrogen on preserving bone tissue.

In an indirect way, soybean improves bone health. Animal products rich diet causes faster elimination of calcium from human organism. Instead of animal proteins if one take soy products (and its proteins), this can prevent calcium loss from bones.

Soybean consumption alleviate symptoms occurring during menopause: epidemiologists have shown that Asian women are less subjected to hot flashes and night sweating than Western woman. Menopause symptoms are caused mostly by low estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a significant role in body temperature control. Soy isoflavones acts like estrogen and in that way control these symptoms.

Soy products consumption reduces cardio-vascular diseases risk: in the countries where soy products are taken regularly, cardiovascular disease rate is lower. Various researchers are of the opinion that soy products consumption prevents cardio vascular diseases by diminishing total amount of blood cholesterol, which prevents hardening of the arteries. These beneficial effects are credited to soy isoflavones. Genistein also may increase blood vessels flexibility. Soybean helps fighting some types of cancer. A number of researches have shown that regular soy products consumption may help fighting these types of cancer whish are related to hormones levels, such as breast, colon and prostate cancers.