Soybean has proved to be of immense nutritional value. It is perhaps the only first class protein of vegetable origin. It has also shown to have other benefits and has been shown to have many protective values for the human beings. Although many foods and food supplements claim to lower the risk of cancer, soy compounds appear to be among the most promising. Some estrogen-like compounds – isoflavones – in soy foods may be responsible for a lower risk of cancer, especially breast cancer. Some of these estrogen-like compounds have been reported to benefit the cardiovascular system or to reduce bone loss after menopause. Isoflavones – genistein, daidzein, and saponins in soy foods are the main nutritional components that are supposed to be of benefit.

One antioxidant in soy, genistein, has been shown to prevent cancer. It also blocks formation of fatty deposits along artery walls. This process, known as atherosclerosis, is the main cause of heart attack and stroke…You only need 50 to 75 mg of soy protein per day. That’s equal to one cup of soy milk or three servings of tofu.

Another reason to include soy in your diet – Research shows it may reduce your risk for endometrial cancer. The study reports eating some phytoestrogens or estrogens found in plant foods is especially protective among postmenopausal women.