Research Library

Dozens of studies have demonstrated health benefits for a diet that includes soy. In addition to high quality protein, soy contains important plant compounds called isoflavones, which appear to protect against hormone-related disorders such as breast cancer and prostate cancers.

Two of the most important isoflavones are genistein and daidzein. And now, new research is showing that blood levels of daidzein have been linked to significant improvements in cholesterol levels and could boost heart health.
The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Vol. 91, pp. 2209-2213) reports that high blood levels of daidzein were associated with decreasing levels of triglycerides and increasing levels of HDL-cholesterol (the good, protective  kind). In fact, women with the highest blood daidzein levels had 17 per cent lower triglyceride levels and 5 per cent higher HDL levels than women with the lowest levels of daidzein. The relationship was most striking in women with low levels of estradiol, one of the three estrogen hormones. Soy is one of the best sources in the diet for daidzein.

“These and prior studies suggest that cardiovascular risk reduction strategies in women should consider dietary intake of food products, such as soy, which elevate blood daidzein levels, consistent with recent recommendations,” said the lead study author, Noel Bairey Merz from the University of Pittsburg Graduate School of Public Health. An Atkins Advantage bar contains 20 grams of protein made from a blend of soy protein and the equally valuable whey protein.