How Soy Protein Benefits Athletes

By Edna Booker


Those who choose not to eat meat need to obtain the nutrients they are missing by eating other forms of them. Protein is one of the major elements of meat and fish and is needed by the body for basic functions such as cell construction. Eating soy protein benefits vegetarians and vegans in much the same way.

Proteins are made up of amino acids, they are the building blocks. Many types of amino acid are now known and it has been found that there are twenty two which are used by the human body. Most of these are made in house, so to speak in that the body can produce them with little help. However, there are nine others which must be included in the diet for good health.

Soy is a legume. They are a family of plants which have high levels of lots of things the body needs. High in essential amino acids, fiber, calcium, micronutrients and omega fatty acids they are a fantastic and healthy alternative to meat. They are also low in fat and cholesterol which makes them perfect for those looking to be extra fit.

Part of the switch to plant based protein has come about from looking at the diet of people in the far east. Japan has more people who live to be over one hundred years old than any other country. Not only do they live longer they are healthier and more active. Researchers have been looking at their dietary habits to understand the affect of the foods eaten there on health and have found some very interesting things.

Cholesterol has become a controversial issue in recent years. After decades of official dietary advice that everyone should try to lower it there is now growing evidence that too little can also be detrimental. Some of this controversy has come about due to misunderstanding as there are different types of cholesterol, ldl is thought to be the most dangerous. Soy contains phytosterols which help block absorption of it thus keeping overall levels in the body lower.

It is easier than ever to get soy into the diet. Production of it is not at record levels and there are lots of products to cater for the demand. Meat substitutes are usually made from soy and there is soy milk, yogurt and cheese to replace dairy. It can be bought in flour form to make bread or used generally as a substitute for wheat.

The most healthy way to consume it seems to be in fermented products. These are things such as miso and tempeh. The fermentation process starts to break down the parts of the bean which can be hard to digest and also encourages the growth of probiotics. These are the good bacteria which help digestion.

Another method of ingesting it is to take a supplement. Powders are now widely available and are used by body builders and athletes who want to increase strength and build muscles. It seems strange to some people that body builders might be vegans but it is entirely possible and there are a growing number of athletes who are shunning meat proteins in favor of plant ones.




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