People started moving away from dairy, and gravitated towards soy because it wasn’t dairy, so it must be ‘healthier’ and ‘easier to tolerate.’ Now the buzz is whether or not soy is actually good for you, or was it a quickly dying fad?

Most of the consumable soy nowadays is genetically modified. I’m sure you’ve seen things labeled as ‘Non-GMO.’ The soy in most consumable products (soybean oil, soymilk, meat substitutes, tofu, and many processed foods) these days are the exact opposite of that. Soy is a genetically modified substance.

Now the problem with too much soy is that it could cause to the increase of estrogen. The genetically modified soy contains what are called, ‘phytoestrogens.’ Now, these phytoestrogens act as estrogen, but they merely mimic that of naturally produced estrogen. This could potentially cause a hormonal imbalance in either men or women. In women, however, higher estrogen levels could possibly be linked to increased risk for breast and cervical cancer. The GMO product is also harmful to the gut, as it can kill off the good bacteria.

If you see ‘soy lecithin,’ however, that is actually something ok to consume. Soy lecithin is extracted from soybeans, cottonseed, sunflower, and milk to name a few. It has the ability to emulsify fats to make it ideal and easier for digestion. It is seen in processed foods, medicines, and supplements so that it can provide a uniform appeal, especially if some things don’t mix well together naturally, such as oil and water for example.

Now, there are some benefits to soy, such as reducing total and LDL cholesterol. There are mixed studies of reduction in the risk of heart disease, while others do not. However, you’ll want to make sure you get organic, fermented soy, as it will not have been genetically modified and will have maintained its nutrients for said health benefits.

I personally try to stay away from soy, but as with anything, conduct your own research and make a sound stance either way, but I hope I was able to shed light in a positive direction on what I think to be true.