Beyond the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Soy Protein: A Review of the Effects of Dietary Soy and Its Constituents on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

The hypocholesterolemic effect of soy is well-documented and this has led to the regulatory approval of a health claim relating soy protein to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, soybeans contain additional components, such as isoflavones, lecithins, saponins and fiber that may improve cardiovascular health through independent mechanisms. This review summarizes the evidence on the cardiovascular benefits of non-protein soy components in relation to known CVD risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, inflammation, and obesity beyond cholesterol lowering. Overall, the available evidence suggests non-protein soy constituents improve markers of cardiovascular health; however, additional carefully designed studies are required to independently elucidate these effects. Further, work is also needed to clarify the role of isoflavone-metabolizing phenotype and gut microbiota composition on biological effect.

Germination conditions influence the physical characteristics, isoflavones, and vitamin C of soybean sprouts

“…Soybean isoflavones are bioactive compounds that benefit human health and are divided into four groups: β-glycosides (daidzin, genistin, and glycitin); 6''-O-acetylglycosides (acetyldaidzin, acetylgenistin, and acetylglycitin); 6''-O-malonylglycosides (malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin, and malonylglycitin; and aglycones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) (Falcão et al, 2018). Soybean isoflavones have also been extensively investigated because of their positive effects, including antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activity, prevention of menopausal symptoms, and cardiovascular diseases; besides, such isoflavones protect against bone loss in postmenopausal symptoms, in women, and against the development of breast and prostate cancers (Haron et al, 2011;Dong et al, 2013;Wada et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2017;Ramdath et al, 2017).…”

Dypteryx Alata Vogel Seeds May Improve Anthropometric and Behavioral Profile of Wistar Rats

“…The release of inflammatory cytokines and other markers such as Interleukin-1β (IL-1 β ), IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and C-reactive protein may also be reversible. [11,[20][21][22] The Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test is widely used to investigate the psychological bases of anxiety. Usually an animal without any treatment tends to remain for a longer time in the closed arms that represents an exposition to naturally threatening situations, which in the The presence of substances that reduce anxiety makes the animal feel calmer and consider the environment less threatening.…”

Drying Applications during Value-Added Sustainable Processing for Selected Mass-Produced Food Coproducts

“…Due to the high dietary fiber content of soybean dregs, it can be excreted in combination with bile salts and bile acids, reducing the content of bile salts and bile acids in the body and accelerating the rate at which the liver converts cholesterol to bile. These effects indirectly lead to a decrease in the cholesterol content, which will reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease [24].…”