Top five takeaways from the 2024 Soy Connection annual survey of health professionals:

1. 84% agree that soy is a nutritious food (a 2% increase over 2023)
2. 80% agree that soy is heart healthy, though just 52% are aware of soy protein’s FDA authorized health claim related to heart health, and 23% are aware of soybean oil’s FDA qualified health claim related to heart health
3. 76% agree that soy foods are easy to find in the grocery store
4. 3 in 4 believe soy is safe and nutritious for men and women, with percentages trending upwards
5. 93% recommend soy to those they advise at some frequency, with 31% often or always recommending soy foods and/or beverages

Three out of four health professionals surveyed agree that soy is a nutritious food, part of a healthy diet, heart-healthy, and easy to find in the grocery store.
A 2024 survey garnered responses from 734 health professionals comprised of 60% registered dietitians, 9% nurse practitioners, 9% physician associates, 4% nutrition and dietetic technicians, 3% professors/teachers, 2% certified dietary managers/certified food protection professionals, 1% researchers, 1% students, 6% retired/not working, and 9% other (including administrators, athletic trainers, child nutrition directors, diabetes care and educational specialists, school nutrition coordinators, and more).

Consistent with 2023 results, health professionals believe soy is a healthy, high-quality protein that offers important benefits.
Health professionals’ agreement that soy is safe and nutritious for women, men, and children is trending upwards at 77%, 77%, and 70%, respectively. However, just 48% view soy as safe and nutritious for infants. Scientific research shows that soy is safe for children without a soy allergy and may even reduce the risk of breast cancer later in life if consumed during adolescence.¹ Additionally, soy can provide vital nutrients for growing bodies and is a high-quality plant-based protein that provides the nine essential amino acids in amounts needed by the body.  

Awareness of some of soy’s health effects was lower than expected, indicating a need for more health professional education on those topics. These include soy’s support of brain health and cognitive function², bone health² and skin health benefits including wrinkle reduction, improved pigmentation, and increased hydration³, as well as soybean oil’s heart health benefits.⁴

Health professionals recommend soy more frequently than in previous years.
Among health professionals who consult, 93% recommend soy to those they advise at some frequency, with 31% often or always recommending soy foods and/or beverages. Survey responses show a steady decline in the number of health professionals who indicated that they “never” recommend soy. In 2015, that was 15% of respondents; in 2024, that was just 7%.

When asked about the healthfulness of soy, 78% agree that soy offers important health benefits, and that soy is a high-quality protein and is part of a healthy diet. That said, half of these health professionals were approached at least sometimes by their patients or clients about soy-related concerns, particularly around breast cancer. In addition, nearly all health professionals (86%) are at least somewhat concerned about processed/ultra-processed foods; however, they classify soy milk and soy yogurt as less processed compared to previous years. Other soy-related concerns heard at a lower rate include hormonal effects in males, soy allergies, and genetic modification of soy.

 

Evidence-based facts about soy.
Soy and breast cancer risk
Despite concerns about soy and breast cancer risk and recurrence, clinical studies have shown that neither soy nor isoflavones negatively affect markers of breast cancer risk and breast cancer patients can safely consume soy foods.⁵

Processed/ultra-processed foods
Scientists argue that the categorization of ultra-processed foods lacks nuance; for instance, the NOVA food classification system ranks cow’s milk as “minimally processed” while soy milk is lumped in the same “ultra-processed foods” category as packaged cookies and chips. Recent studies show that some categories of ultra-processed foods are not associated with an increased risk of chronic disease or are associated with decreased risk.⁶

Soy’s effect on male hormones
Extensive clinical trial data show neither soy nor isoflavones effect male hormones, fertility, or lead to gynecomastia.⁵

Soy allergies
Though soy is listed as one of the major food allergens, studies show that soy allergies are less common than the other major food allergens (except sesame). Only about three out of every 1,000 adults is allergic to soy, and there is a relatively low potency of soy protein for triggering an allergic response, especially a severe one.⁵

Genetic modification of soy
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, genetically modified crops are “the most extensively tested crops ever added to our food supply.” The FDA ensures that genetically modified crops are safe by making sure that all foods that are genetically modified or contain genetically modified ingredients meet the same stringent safety standards as all other foods.⁷

Soy foods and beverages remain favorable sources of protein.
Tofu and soy milk are ranked most favorably as sources of soy protein at 82% and 66%, respectively. Overall, soy continues to rank as a second-tier protein source (73%) alongside beef (75%) and pork (71%), and behind fish/seafood (94%) and beans and lentils (96%). However, soy is the only plant protein that is comparable in quality to animal-based protein. Soy’s protein quality is on-par with cow’s milk, eggs, and meat.⁸ Additionally, respondents rank the nutritional attributes of soybean oil (commonly labeled as “vegetable oil”) more favorably than peanut, coconut, and palm oils. 

About Soy Connection
Soy Connection provides evidence-based information and resources about soy protein, oil and isoflavones, as well as a newsletter and free continuing education credits to registered dietitians, dietary managers and nurse practitioners. 

References:

1. https://sniglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FactSheet_childrens-health.pdf
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2201775
3. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/19/4113
4. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/qualified-health-claims-letters-enforcement-discretion
5. https://sniglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/102023_HealthProGuide_Booklet_Final.pdf
6. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(23)00190-4/fulltext
7. https://www.fda.gov/media/135278/download
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22017752