Can Soy Cause Unintended Weight Gain?

Hello Everyone!!!

Soy has always been a matter of concern for people. People are skeptical about consuming it. They are worried that it may result in unintended weight gain. So all the weight watchers, here is a tiny discussion. Read on!

Many products such as tofu, tempeh and protein supplements contain soybeans. Immature soybeans are also consumed in the form of edamame. Soy protein is quite similar to other protein sources when you talk about its nutritional value. Soy protein can help in building muscle mass but the question is that can it cause unintended weight gain? Let us know a bit about soy and also find an answer to the controversial question.

Health benefits of soy isoflavones

Soybeans have the capablility of getting converted into different foods and is often used instead of meat. As you are aware soybeans are rich in protein, they also contain a variety of beneficial compounds such as isoflavones. Isoflavones are antioxidants that have a structure similar to the hormone estrogen found in humans. The isoflavones are capable of mimicking the effects of estrogen in certain human tissues and can possibly play a role in reducing the symptoms of menopause. According to Harvard School of Public Health, they even have the potential of preventing certain kinds of cancer.

Soy builds muscle

Soy protein is considered to be a complete protein because it has all the amino acids that the body cannot make. Athletes are known to take soy protein supplements in order to add muscle mass. In a study published in the year 2004, the effects of soy protein on increase of muscle mass was examined in comparison to other sources of protein. The study found that soy protein just as effective in increasing muscle mass as other protein supplements like milk protein. This suggests that soy can be used by those who want to gain weight.

Soy and the relation with unintended weight gain

Health and nutrition circles have raised one concern about consuming soy products and that is whether it can lead to unintended weight gain by affecting the functioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid controls the body’s metabolism and anything that makes your thyroid underactive can slow down the body’s metabolism, resulting in weight gain. Several studies have measured the effects of soy on the function of the thyroid gland. In one review published in 2006, all the studies were examined and it was found that there was no significant effect on the function of the thyroid gland. This suggests that soy is not different from other proteins when we talk of its ability to cause weight gain.

Points to be noted

Protein, be it of any kind, adds calories to the diet and can cause weight gain when consumed in large quantities. Soybeans are no different from other foods when you talk of its ability to cause weight gain. If you want to add protein to your diet in order to increase your muscle mass, soy will help in increasing your protein intake. On a different note, soy does not seem to be more likely to cause weight gain when compared to other food of similar calories.

The bottom line

Soy doesn’t cause unintended weight gain.

xoxo

Tarun

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