Soy protein isolate is a dry powder food ingredient that has been separated or isolated from the other components of the soybean, making it 90 to 95 percent protein and nearly carbohydrate and fat-free.

Contents

Uses

  • Dairy-type products such as beverage powders, infant formulas, liquid nutritional meals, and some varieties of liquid soymilk
  • Bottled fruit drinks
  • Power bars
  • Soups and sauces
  • Meat analogs that resemble conventional foods in color, texture and taste
  • Breads and baked goods
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Many weight and muscle gain products in the fitness market

Benefits

  • Soy protein isolate supplies a high quality of protein that contains all essential amino acids needed for growth. Soy protein isolate is equal in quality to animal products and is almost fat free containing less than 1 percent fat and unlike animal products contains no cholesterol and little or no saturated fat.
  • In addition to the excellent quality of soy protein, scientists have found that soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and increasing the flexibility of blood vessels. The FDA has approved a health claim stating that “25 grams of soy protein in a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol that is moderately high to high.” Much of the human and animal research on the health benefits of soy has been conducted using isolated soy protein and should testify to its short-term safety and efficacy.
  • Important bio-active components found naturally in soybeans are being studied in relationship to relieving menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, maintaining healthy bones, and preventing prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers. The content of bio-active components in soy protein isolate varies from product to product depending on how the soy protein is processed.

Cautions

  • In animal studies, soy isolate has been linked to allergies, thyroid problems, and even brain damage. Soy has been labeled one of the top seven allergens for people to avoid, as soy isolate is found in a lot of processed foods, including bread and baked goods, soups and sauces, and breakfast cereals and protein bars.
  • There have also been several studies on soy protein and age-related dementia, although many of those studies have been inconclusive.

Other Names

Mono-diglyceride, Soya, Soja or Yuba, TSF (textured soy flour) or TSP (textured soy protein), TVP (textured vegetable protein), Lecithin, MSG (monosodium glutamate)

References

Source: Soyfoods.org, http://www.soyfoods.org/soy-products/soy-fact-sheets/soy-protein-isolate-fact-sheet

WellnessToday, http://www.wellnesstoday.com/nutrition/is-soy-protein-isolate-bad-for-you

Mercola.com, http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/12/08/the-dirty-little-secret-hidden-in-much-of-your-health-food.aspx

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