New Study Shows Soy May Protect Against Oral Cancer
July 2001 — Now there's another reason to incorporate soy products into your diet. Researchers have discovered that a compound in soy called the Bowman-Birk inhibitor may prevent oral cancer. A study published last December showed that when 32 people with pre-cancerous oral lesions took daily doses of Bowman-Birk inhibitor for 30 days, a significant number of the subjects exhibited shrinkage of those lesions.
While more research is needed to determine the full extent of soy's protective health benefits, this study - and many others - indicate that there are many good reasons to try the different soy-based foods on the market today. Several studies indicate that soy may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering high levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, while others show that naturally occurring chemicals in soy known as phytoestrogens may protect women from some symptoms of menopause, such as osteoporosis and breast cancer.
Because of the mounting evidence in favor of soy, the FDA agreed last year to allow soy food makers to tout health benefits directly on package labels, a move that could lead to an increasing acceptance of the humble yet exotic soybean, which has been a staple food in Asian cuisine for centuries.
The Joy of Soy
If your last encounter with soy left a bad taste in your mouth, cheer up. Because food manufacturers compete for your dollar, they're constantly developing more palatable products to replace the bland soyburgers and tofu of yesteryear. Marilyn Gordon, a registered dietitian at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center, has a number of favorite soy foods, such as Boca Burgers.
"They're great for cookouts when everyone else is eating a hamburger, turkey burger, or chicken. One burger has 80 calories, zero grams of fat, and 13 grams of protein. I like them plain or fully dressed with grilled onions and peppers," she says.
For do-it-yourselfers, here's a quick, easy recipe for soy smoothies, courtesy of Gordon. This light-tasting, fruity beverage is packed with vitamins and minerals and is an excellent introduction to the benefits of soy.
Soy Smoothies: Makes 6-8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 block of lite silken tofu or 2 tablespoons of soy protein powder
- 2 cups of your favorite chilled juice (apple, orange, and pineapple work well)
- 2 bananas
- 2 cups frozen strawberries, blueberries, or mixed fruit
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ or ground flaxseed (optional)
Instructions
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a blender. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information per serving: 115 calories, 0.5 g fat and 5 g protein.