The story of Soybean dates back to the Chou Dynasty (1134-246 BC) when soybean was designated one of the five sacred grains, along with barley, wheat, millet and rice. Agricultural literature of the period speaks frequently of the soybean and its use in crop rotation. Apparently the soy plant was initially used as a method of fixing nitrogen in the soil.
The soybean did not serve as a food until the discovery of fermentation techniques, some time during the Chou Dynasty. The first soy foods were fermented products like tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce. George Washington Carver (1864–1943), the black American botanist, teacher and inventor, was instrumental in developing scores of uses for soybeans and other legumes. Soybeans soon became a Southern and Midwest staple crop, and it spread rapidly as new applications for use and manufacturing of soy products became apparent in the early 1900’s. Henry Ford also contributed to the advancement of soybean utilization, spending millions on research and development of industrial uses of soy.
However, what has most interested scientists in recent years is the discovery of phytochemicals and the profound benefits of soy on human health. Benefits of soy include promoting heart health and healthy bones, preventing cancer and alleviating menopausal symptoms. The cholesterol lowering effect of soy milk and its role of heart disease was widely recognized in the mid 90s when the results of a meta-analysis of 38 clinical studies were published. The results demonstrated that a diet with significant soy protein reduces Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the “Bad” cholesterol) and Triglycerides.
A few recent studies released in 2005 found that soy only had a modest effect on cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association no longer recommends soy for heart disease. FDA is currently reviewing its policy on soy health claim. So what should you do? Hmmm…enjoy your soy foods like before. It may not lower cholesterol to an extent we originally thought, but it certainly does not harm our health!
