Soy farming has significantly grown over the years due to the increased popularity of the plant, as many people have begun to appreciate its benefits. Unfortunately, in Sustainable Soy Protein many of the methods of soy farming from the past few years have been criticized for being insensitive to the environment’s needs.
As a result, new methods of soy farming have cropped up. These methods are referred to as sustainable soy protein farming. Sustainable soy has numerous benefits, including health benefits, nutritional benefits, and benefits to the environment and animals, among many others. This article explores the details surrounding the different benefits associated with sustainable soy proteins.
1. Health Benefits
The main benefit associated with soy protein is its health benefits. Sustainable soy protein is rich in various nutrients, all central to the body’s general health. Some nutrients obtained from sustainable soy sourced by U.S. Soy aside from protein and healthy fat include calcium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and Vitamin B6.
Aside from the direct nutritional benefit of sustainable soy protein, researchers have also associated soy with many other improvements in the body health of consumers. For instance, soy may help lower the cholesterol levels of the body. This is because soy is rich in HDL (high-density lipoprotein), a good source of cholesterol that helps lower bad cholesterol levels.
Besides its effect on the cholesterol levels in the body, soy protein helps protect cardiovascular health. The soy isoflavones in the body improve cardiovascular health by reducing the inflammation of blood vessels and ensuring that the passage of blood is not hindered by non-elasticity in the blood vessels. In doing so, blood flows unencumbered, thus increasing the heart’s health.
Research indicates that sustainable soy is closely correlated to the prevention and reduction of the risk associated with various conditions in the body, such as cancer, specifically breast cancer, blood sugar levels, osteoporosis, and blood pressure. Similarly, some scholars have noted an improvement in aspects such as fertility and the reduction in menopausal symptoms. The health benefits of sustainable soy are unmatched by those of other food crops.
2. Versatility And Variability
Sustainable soy protein is a highly versatile and variable source of protein. First, as a plant protein, soy protein is a non-lactose and non-animal protein source. It makes it ideal for people adhering to a vegan or vegetarian diet and lactose intolerant.
Secondly, sustainable soy is a unique source of protein due to the number of forms you can eat. If you regularly get bored with the food you eat and would want a change in diet, sustainable soy can make your diet nourishing while still being tasty and interesting.
Some of the forms of soy protein you may want to try out include soybeans, edamame pods, tofu, tempeh, and soy milk. All of these forms of soy protein are rich in nutrients, which means they are excellent additions to your regular diet. Thus, soy protein is a good source of protein to help address food security in the US and globally.
3. Preserve the Environment
When farming sustainable soy protein, the main focus of the farmers is to produce the crop without compromising the environment’s needs. The practices of sustainable soy protein are environmentally aware and have a very low or negligible carbon footprint.
This is a significant benefit to our lives as it helps in the concerted effort of all humanity to preserve the environment not only for the needs of this generation but also for future generations to enjoy the environment the same way we do. One might argue that conserving the environment through sustainable soy farming can be a heritage we leave for future generations.
4. Animal Welfare Considerations
Sustainable soy protein is a nutrient-rich source of animal feed. You might be wondering how this may be a benefit we enjoy when the animals get to eat the feed. Here is your answer. Sustainable soy protein is a bulky feed that animals can enjoy in large quantities at a very low cost.
Therefore, the animals enjoy the feed and obtain nutrients without being financially demanding. This helps us since we can then spend the money we save on getting sustainable soy protein animal feed for other purposes.
On the other hand, as mentioned above, soy protein is a plant-based protein source. This helps protect animal welfare by reducing the demand for animal products such as meat and milk. People who champion animal rights can appreciate the benefits of eating soy protein as opposed to animal-sourced protein as far as it benefits our lives and well-being as well as those of the animals we keep.
5. Costs
Considering the versatility and low production costs of sustainable soy, you will note that sustainable soy is a cost-effective source of protein. Where you would have spent a lot of money to get food, soy protein reduces your expenditure and provides a low-cost food alternative.
For impoverished communities and people battling food insecurity, this becomes highly beneficial and can be the difference between starvation and survival for them.
6. Sustainable Soy Farming as Social And Economic Activity
The sustainable soy protein farming industry has provided a social and economic activity for many communities, which has helped improve their livelihoods. These forms of soy farming can also be seen as the solution to some of the problems affecting the labor market, such as poor working conditions and unfair labor practices.
Since sustainability also involves focusing on the needs of the workers, the production of sustainable soy provides a stable source of income that does not compromise the needs of the workers and laborers on different farms.
Wrapping Up
While this article has broadly discussed numerous benefits we gain from eating soy protein. It is by no means a conclusive discussion of all the benefits of soy protein. Soy protein is a highly advantageous crop for humans and animals, mainly when farmed using sustainable methods. Humans enjoy numerous health advantages, such as obtaining a wide array of nutrients. It reduces the risk of cancer, bone health, cardiovascular health, and blood sugar issues.
Eating sustainable soy protein also improves fertility and helps battle the adverse effects of menopause. As a food source, sustainable soy protein also helps to conserve the environment. It provides a steady source of livelihood for workers in the soy industry. All while contributing to the global fight against food insecurity.