2015-10-17
Joybynature.com Team
Oct
17

 

 

In many countries including India, cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death. There are a number of intertwined factors that play a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases of such magnitude. Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improper balance of lipid profile are certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. That is why you have to be extremely careful in taking care of your cardiovascular health by screening what you eat.

There are many foods that we like to eat such as a few sweets made with ghee, roasted, fried and toasted snacks, so on and so forth that are high in fat content capable of causing plaque and blocks. They have a tendency to increase triglyceride levels in the body also. Would it not be wonderful if you could continue to eat what you like and still be able to keep these bad side effects at bay? Yes, there is a way and that is with soy.

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration department in the United States of America recommends intake of soy with diet to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases?

Soy, being rich in nutrient value, is used extensively in Asia, mainly Japan. Comparative research studies have shown that Japanese people have to attribute much of their fitness to their Soy consumption. Especially, when it comes to cardiovascular diseases, there is almost a fifty percent lesser incidence in those who regularly take soy when compared with those who do not. Hence, the American health association recommends soy intake in the form of tofu, tempeh, miso, soy beans, soy milk, soy yogurt, and soy cheese and soy nuts to counter cardiovascular problems and prevent them.

Cholesterol regulation

Soy proteins contain trypsin inhibitors that initiate bile production from cholesterol instead of cholesterol getting stored as fat. Soy also contains phytic acid and copper. Research studies show that higher zinc to copper ratio is associated with higher cholesterol levels. Phytic acid limits the absorption of zinc in the gut and to an extent and along with copper, might decrease overall cholesterol levels. Saponins and fibre that are present in soy additionally aid cholesterol reduction. Tryglycerides and low density lipoproteins were found to be reduced by ten percent or more when soy protein was consumed regularly with low fat diet. Research study results also showed that the HDL levels increased marginally with regular soy intake.

In addition, soy protein contains isoflavones and phytoestrogens that behave like human oestrogen. It helps in lowering  the levels of bad cholesterol and promotes increased levels of good cholesterol leading to overall Cholesterol Control.

Blood pressure regulation

Soy also helps to regulate blood pressure and has hypertensive properties. This prevents excess pressure being exerted on blood vessels. Soy is rich in potassium and regulates the sodium pathway in the body. It helps excrete excess sodium and restore normal blood pressure levels.

Blood vessel care

Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids present in soy help to retain elasticity of blood vessels. With aging, the inner lining of blood vessels gets coated with cholesterol and plaque that obstruct the flow of blood. They also control inflammation of blood vessels. Taking Soy helps to keep blood vessels healthy.

Cardiovascular care

Soy protein is rich in antioxidants that are known to prevent oxidative damage to cells caused due to free radicals. This is yet another problem that affects all systems in the body since highly specialized cells such as those present in the cardiac system become weaker and less effective when they undergo oxidative damage. Taking soy helps to fight this process effectively.

Thus, soy helps to prevent these risk factors that could lead to cardiovascular diseases. This is the reason that modern research and scientific boards are now recommending regular soy consumption for all.

Click here to know more about the benefits of soy and soy products.

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