Soy myths

Soy is a highly nutritious legume, rich in high-quality protein, fiber, minerals, and essential vitamins. Its consumption is increasingly prevalent in our diets.

It forms the basis of many plant-based preparations due to its characteristics and nutritional contributions. You can find soy in various forms, including tofu, yogurts, plant-based beverages, edamame, sprouts, textured soy protein, and some fermented products like tempeh or miso. One of its main characteristics, and the reason behind certain myths, is its content of phytoestrogens, substances with a structure similar to estrogen, the hormones synthesized in our bodies. But is everything said about this legume true?

• "Myth: Consuming soy causes breast cancer." In fact, the most significant studies indicate the opposite: soy has a protective effect against the development of certain types of cancer.

• "Myth: Soy cannot be consumed with thyroid issues." This is not true; we only need to separate the usual medication (levothyroxine) from meals that include soy.

• "Myth: Soy contains endocrine disruptors that are unhealthy." Endocrine disruptors modify the hormonal functioning of our bodies. This myth suggests that "soy phytoestrogens behave like estrogens and therefore cause hormonal changes," but this is not true. Studies establish that the consumption of soy and its derivatives is safe. In conclusion, in general, we cannot establish a direct cause of illness to any specific food. It's a very complex statement because there are millions of variables that can influence the development of a disease, and no single food can control them on its own. Soy is a safe, healthy food with a good protein and fat profile (in fact, it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases). At VFC, we use soy in many of our dishes, and we encourage you to try it in various forms. Don't overthink it and take a look at our dishes in our weekly menus ;)