Report Looks at Health Effects of Soy
Photo by Scott Bauer, ARS/USDA
A new evidence-based report has found that eating soy protein daily may have some health benefits—but overall, the health effects of soy are uncertain and need further investigation. The report, "Effects of Soy on Health Outcomes," is published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It was requested and funded by NCCAM and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
The authors found, from the studies they examined, that there is some evidence that eating tofu or other sources of soy protein daily may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, so-called bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels slightly. They also found that soy isoflavones might help reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women. However, the authors cautioned that firm conclusions cannot be made because the available studies were limited in number, of poor quality, or of too short duration to lead to definite conclusions. They called for future studies of soy to better address these issues as well as others.
The report's summary is available online or by calling the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-800-358-9295.
