How Healthy Is Soy Really?

By Amy Paturel, "How Healthy Is Soy Really?," January/February 2011

The pros and cons of soy for your body.

More Information About Soy
Soy Healthy Food Guide
The Soy & Breast Cancer Conundrum

Healthy Recipes for Soy
Easy Edamame Recipes
Quick Tofu Dinner Recipes

Pros & Cons to Eating Soy

-Thyroid: Soy is high in isoflavones, compounds that may inhibit the body’s ability to make thyroid hormones, which play a role in controlling everything from metabolism to body temperature. Some studies suggest that over time, soy could cause thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism (a condition characterized by weight gain, fatigue and cold intolerance). Other studies, however, say that soy only affects thyroid function when a person is low in iodine—a deficiency rare in the U.S.

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