Soybean Health Benefits

Native to East Asia and grown in abundance in the American Midwest, soybeans are a staple food all around the world. In addition to serving as the base of innumerable foods, from tofu to tempeh to soy milk, soybeans can also be eaten all by themselves. These small-but-mighty beans are packed with protein and fiber, making them an ideal choice for plant-based meals and snacks.

Since one type of soybeans is sold and marketed under the name “edamame,” you may wonder about the difference between the two terms. Edamame is simply a form of whole, immature soybean, typically boiled and served in its pod. When soybeans are left on the plant to ripen, however, they harden and develop a yellow, brown, or black hue.

In recent years, there’s been increasing consumer concern about soy products’ effects on estrogen and how this might impact the risk of hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer. However, the American Cancer Society (ACS) states that “the evidence does not point to any dangers from eating soy in people.” In fact, according to the ACS, the health benefits of eating soy foods appear to outweigh any potential risk.

Soybean Nutrition Facts

The following nutrition information for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of soybeans has been provided by the USDA.

Calories: 172

Fat: 9g

Sodium: 1mg

Carbohydrates: 8.3g

Fiber: 6

Sugars: 3g

Protein: 18g

Carbs

About 30% of soybeans’ calories come from carbohydrates, and over two-thirds of these carbs are from fiber. The remaining carbs in soybeans come from naturally occurring sugars, such as sucrose and raffinose.

Fats

While soybeans are by no means a high-fat food, at 9 grams per 3.5 ounces, they do contain a notable amount of dietary fat. However, these fats are primarily the “good” kind; in a single serving, you’ll take in 2 grams of monounsaturated fat and 5 grams polyunsaturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends that the majority of the fats we eat be mono and polyunsaturated. Just over 1 gram of soybeans’ total fat is the saturated variety which has been linked to heart disease.

It’s always a best practice to check labels on soybeans, too. Many packaged varieties add oil for flavor, which will add to total fat.

Protein

Protein is where soybeans really shine. In a single serving, you’ll get 18 grams of this important macronutrient. If you’re worried that this plant-based protein doesn’t measure up to the animal kind, you can put these concerns to rest. Soy is one of a select group of plant-based foods that are considered a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to get through food.

However, if muscle building is your goal, soy may not be your best bet. Some research has shown that foods containing branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are most effective for muscle growth.1 Compared to animal products like whey and casein, soy protein is low in BCAAs.

Vitamins and Minerals

Soybeans can add a number of micronutrients to your daily intake. The beans are rich in potassium, folate, magnesium, calcium, and thiamin.

Health Benefits

Keeps You Full

You may not think of beans as a stick-to-your-ribs filling food, but with so much fiber and protein per serving, soybeans can easily keep hunger at bay for a long stretch. This satiation boost may even be beneficial for weight loss.

May Lower Cholesterol

Some research suggests that soy products can lower LDL cholesterol (aka the “bad” kind) by a small percentage. However, it’s important to note that you’d probably need to eat quite a large amount of soy to make an impact.

Boosts Digestive Health

So much of gut health comes down to the amount of fiber we consume. Soybeans’ 6 grams of fiber per serving adds bulk to stool and creates a healthy environment for good bacteria to flourish in the digestive tract.

Compatible With Many Special Diets

Soybeans find their way comfortably into many specialized eating plans. People on low-sodium, Mediterranean, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets can all dish up these beans.

Protein Source for Vegan and Vegetarians

Vegans and vegetarians—especially those new to these diets—may find getting enough protein a challenge. Soybeans can add to your daily dose with its high plant-based protein content.

May Reduce the Risk of Breast and Prostate Cancer

Though soy has had a controversial history when it comes to its connection with “the Big C,” a body of research indicates beneficial effects of soy in cancer prevention. A 2009 review found that consuming soy-based foods was associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer.2

And a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies concluded that eating more soy products might be associated with a small reduction in breast cancer risk.3 However, more research is needed to determine the exact relationship between soy and cancer.

Allergies

Soy is among the most common food allergies. According to Food Allergy Research and Education, it’s especially prevalent in babies and kids, with 0.4% of children being allergic to soy. While some children will outgrow a soy allergy, for others, it’s a lifelong issue. If you have a soy allergy, you’ll need to avoid all varieties of soybeans.

Adverse Effects

Despite soybeans’ excellent nutrition profile, they might not be right for some people. As a high-fiber food, they can cause gas and abdominal discomfort. Those on a low-FODMAP diet may also need to steer clear of soybeans since they contain oligosaccharides called galactans that can aggravate IBS symptoms.

Varieties

Though there are around 2,500 varieties of soybeans, you probably won’t see this many options at your local grocery store. Instead, you’ll likely see soybeans sold with simple descriptors such as “yellow” or “black” (or, of course, as edamame). Cooking instructions for different varieties of beans may vary, so follow package directions for best results.

Storage and Food Safety

Soybeans can be purchased frozen, canned, or dry. Keep frozen soybeans in the freezer until ready to use, and store canned and dry beans in a cool, dry place. Once cooked, be sure to refrigerate any leftover soybeans in an airtight container and use within three days.

How to Prepare

Name a cooking method and you can probably apply it to soybeans! The only way you can’t eat soybeans is raw, as they are not digestible in their raw form. Boiling, roasting, and steaming are all popular ways to prepare these beans.

It’s important to note, however, that dried soybeans need to be soaked prior to cooking, which can take several hours or up to overnight. Once soaked, boil them using three to four parts water per one part beans. Boiling takes about three hours to fully cook the beans.

For faster prep, try roasting. At 350 degrees, soybeans will take about 45 minutes to cook.