Soy For Men: Good or Bad?

There has been a lot of confusion around Soy or Soybeans and its implication on men’s reproductive and overall health. With popular myths taking over facts in a convenient manner, the consumption of Soy has been discouraged widely.

If we wish to assess the true capabilities of Soy, it is critical to first let go of the set stereotype. Along with that, understanding its components and scientific studies that back its capabilities are essential to the process. 

But, first let us understand what category of food Soy comes under followed by its components and the myths revolving around it. Only then will we be able to assess this east Asian legume in its true capability. 

Soy traces its origin to East Asia and is grown as an edible bean. It is a great source of protein and is also used in the form of milk. There are mainly three types of Soy: Green, Yellow, and Black Soybeans. The yellow Soybean is the most common variety and is used to make Tofu and Soy milk. Some other popular uses of Soy include soy sauce, fermented bean paste, nattō, and tempeh.

Soy has great nutritional values and has a lot of command over the vegan and vegetarian diet. They are known to contain a significant amount of protein as compared to others in the Fabaceae family. It is known for being the highest source of folates and antioxidants amongst legumes, with 78% unsaturated fats. Along with that, it is a great source of vitamin B-complex, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium.

Is Soy good or bad for men? There are various myths around this and we have debunked a few as below:

• Soy doesn’t mess with your Hormones: The first myth around Soy is that it affects testosterone and estrogen and interrupts the reproductive process. However, that was an assumption made on an outdated study and the structural miss out of isoflavones. Isoflavones are classified as phytoestrogens, a plant-based compound that resembles Estrogen.
• Soy doesn’t cause Cancer: An unsettling myth revolving around Soy is that it causes breast cancer and prostate cancer. As it has similar properties to estrogen, the concern for stimulating growth in the cells has always made people wary of it. But no significant study has been able to establish it as a fact till now.
• Processed Soy is still nutritious: There is a collective apprehension against processed Soy, as people assume the processing will increase the presence of isoflavones further. They believe that processing tends to suck all the healthy constituents out of it. But ideally, that's not the case, as processed Soy proteins contain the same amount of isoflavens and other important constituents as the processed one.
• Soy won’t make men less masculine: Another damaging myth deep-rooted in the online culture due to misguided opinions is that soy makes men effeminate. The term Soy boy is used in a derogatory manner to depict feminine men. The myth tends to propagate the idea that men who consume soy not only damage their reproductive health but also tend to develop a feminine nature. But luckily, studies have successfully debunked that myth and stated otherwise.
• Soy is safe for infants: Parents of infants tend to stay away from Soy as they tend to think it might push them towards a life with complicated hormonal issues. Or they are fearful of allergies. Allergies are specific to the human, and generalizing it to incite fear is unnecessary. Additionally, no study to date confirms that Soy can lead to major challenges in infants later in their lives.
  
  

As we debunk the myths around Soy, the next step in the process is to understand how its consumption can help you enhance your health. A sneak peek into its health benefits will help you with better clarity.

• Even though Soy is a plant-based protein, it is known to have all the essential amino acids that help with muscle and bone strength and so much more. 

• It is known to have a significant amount of good fats, which include omega-6 and omega-3 fats, and makes up an excellent case for your heart health. 

• Soy is cholesterol-free, and a number of studies have suggested that its routine consumption can help in maintaining the healthy levels of the same. 

• Lastly, Soybeans are nutrient-rich, packed with protein, fiber, iron, manganese, phosphorus, B vitamins, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

There has been a significant number of studies done on Soy and its impact on the male hormones. It has been tested on the male anatomy at various levels to assess its impacts on the hormones. A quick summary of some relevant studies is as follows:

• Science couldn't establish any connection between delayed puberty and the consumption of Soy in men. The study found that boys fed soy formula and cow-milk formula had similar hormone levels and body measurements.

• Research establishes that soy has mild hormonal benefits for premenopausal women but does not impact reproductive hormones or semen quality in men.

• Most studies suggest that soy is beneficial for the human body. However, some research indicates that its isoflavones, which act like estrogen, may affect male fertility. While evidence suggests they can influence hormone levels and sperm production, human studies are limited. Experts also advise caution with soy formula for infants, as it might impact male reproductive health.

More or less, our experience with this all-rounder plant compound has been great, but as we have seen, there are always residual concerns. For example, some studies tend to highlight isoflavones that can mess with male hormones but lack the human sample to establish the same. So, to feel safe around Soy (even though there is no apparent need to panic) we can keep in mind certain mandatory precautions. 

• Pregnant women should be mindful of consuming soy in large amounts, as it might lead to allergies and digestive issues. It can also impact the infant’s growth if taken without proper consultation, but that is subjected to further studies. 

• Eating soy foods in moderation can have some health benefits, but there are also potential risks, such as thyroid problems and fertility issues, that need more research.

• Giving infants soy formula doesn't appear to cause health or reproductive issues later. However, regular soy milk, which is not meant for infants, should not replace infant formula because it may cause nutrient deficiencies.

The thing is, if you are suffering from any comorbidities or have a medical condition, it is only wise to consult a physician before upping your dosage. The reason behind it is simple soy does have great health benefits, but its overconsumption and the extent of the popular myths are still being studied in case of a vulnerable patient.

We have seen that Soy can be a concern with pregnant women if not checked properly. It can also cause allergies and have certain side effects. The myths involving men’s fertility and feminine nature do not hold ground; it is important to assess the extent of Soy in men’s health.

It is critical to establish that Soy in no way affects the male reproductive hormones. In fact, a study  points out that Soy protein with isoflavones helped improve blood sugar control and heart health in men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone without impacting their testosterone levels.

Also, there is another study that predicts that soy in the diet can help with blood pressure and cholesterol, but may also reduce blood vessel function in men. The ideal way around all this is to have a defined dosage. 

Overconsumption can lead to issues that can be complicated to deal with from the overall health perspective.

Many experts have weighed in on these ongoing discussions to share their input. If we consider the study conducted by the UC David, it has clarified that consuming 50mg of soy is safe for men. Additionally, maintaining the amount can have amazing health benefits on male physiology.

It is only normal to be scared of any popular myth and be apprehensive about a certain thing. But if we refuse to educate ourselves on the same, we miss out on acknowledging its greatness.

Such is the case for Soy. We are so preoccupied with myths and speculations around it that we fail to acknowledge it is a great protein source. However, the ideal way to appreciate its benefits is to understand the limit for consumption.

Overconsumption of Soy, like any other food item, is not really great for the human body. Secondly, if you have any pre-existing co-morbidity or are pregnant, it is advisable to be mindful of your body and the ongoing medicine before you take on the soy regime.

If you are patient enough to abide by a few non-negotiables, adding soy to your diet is a great way to upgrade your diet for better results.