Is soya good for you?

Uncover the real benefits and risks of adding soya to daily diet

- Seniors Today Desk

For years, soya has been surrounded by mixed messages. Some hail it as a superfood, while others worry about its effects on hormones and health. If youre a senior trying to make wise choices about what goes on your plate, you may be wondering — is soya actually good for me? Let’s break it down with the science.

What exactly is soya?

Soya beans are legumes, much like peas or lentils, but richer in protein. From them we get tofu, soya milk, tempeh, miso, and soya protein powders. In Asia, people have eaten soya in traditional forms for thousands of years — usually fermented, as in miso or tempeh.

Benefits of soya

Heart health: Soya is naturally low in saturated fat and contains compounds called isoflavones. Studies show that replacing animal protein with soya protein may lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and improve overall heart health — a big plus as we age, when cardiovascular risk tends to increase.

Bone strength: The isoflavones in soya mimic oestrogen very gently. For women after menopause, when natural oestrogen drops, soya may help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.