Soy and Men’s Health:
The Benefits of Soy
For Men
Soy and Men’s Health:
The Benefits of
Soy For Men
Soy foods offer a variety of health benefits for men of all ages. Consuming soy foods like tofu, tempeh and soy-based protein powders can support muscle mass maintenance and growth, and overall health.
Explore the science of soy, see how it can support men’s health and well-being, and be equipped to answer questions from your male patients on adding soy into their diet.
See How Soy Foods Support Men Throughout Their Lives
Phytoestrogens:
Are They Bad for Men's Health?
Soy contains isoflavones, naturally occurring compounds that are a type of phytoestrogen. These isoflavones are associated with health benefits but can also be a source of confusion when it comes to consumption of soy among men.
One of the biggest misconceptions around soy foods and men’s health is the perceived risk of feminization due to its phytoestrogens. However, research supports the positive benefits of soy consumption for men.
Isoflavones: Facts About the Phytoestrogens in Soy
- Isoflavones are a common type of phytoestrogen.
- Isoflavones are found in legumes, primarily soybeans and soy-based foods such as plant-based meat alternatives, soy milk, soy nut butter, tofu, and protein bars.
- Each serving of traditional soy foods provides about 25mg of isoflavones.
- Isoflavones bind to estrogen receptors in cells differently than human estrogen does, which results in different actions in the body.
- Isoflavones may have positive health benefits in men.
The Difference Between Estrogen and Phytoestrogen
Estrogens:
Estrogen is a hormone that plays different roles in males and females. While commonly referred to as the female sex hormone, men also produce estrogen, secreted by the adrenal gland and the testes. Women generally have higher estrogen levels with the exception of in older age. Due to changes during the menopause transition, older men may have higher blood estrogen levels than older women. The presence of estrogen in men is important for heart, bone, and brain health.
Phytoestrogens:
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found in plants, particularly in legumes such as soybeans. While phytoestrogens share some structural similarities with human estrogen, they do not function the same. They have been extensively studied for their role in human health, such as cardiovascular health and bone health.
Male Hormone Levels and Fertility
Despite common fears around soy impacting male hormones, research suggests otherwise. Clinical data shows that neither soy foods nor isoflavones affect circulating testosterone and estrogen levels or adversely affect sperm quality or other semen parameters.
Soy Supports Strength
The importance of maintaining muscle mass throughout the lifespan for optimal health is becoming increasingly apparent, and soy can support this goal.
While most American men meet or exceed the recommended intake for protein, this may not be the case for up to 40% of older men. Emerging research indicates that the current recommended protein intakes might not be ideal for promoting health. In fact, consuming more protein could be beneficial, particularly when considering a person's specific life stage and activity level.
Soy foods are good choices for meeting dietary protein needs. Research shows that men who supplement resistance training with soy protein may experience similar gains in muscle mass and strength as men who supplement their workout with animal protein.
Soy is the only plant protein that is comparable in quality to animal-based protein. Soy’s protein quality is on-par with milk, eggs and meat. As such, soy is considered a complete protein. Evidence has been building around the benefits of including plant-based protein sources in the diet. No, your clients don’t have to give up meat, poultry, and seafood, but integrating plant-proteins like soy into their diet brings valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are not present in animal sources.
Prostate Cancer Risk Prevention
Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men, accounting for 15% of all male cancer diagnoses worldwide. Asian populations that consume soy as a regular part of their diet have lower rates of prostate cancer and soy consumption is thought to be linked to the low prevalence, according to epidemiological studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soy Bad for Men?
No. Soy brings lots of value to men’s health. Soy isoflavones and soy protein can support men’s health at every stage of life, from building muscle to potential cancer risk prevention and more.
Is Soy Good for Men?
Yes. Research shows that soy foods can have a positive impact on men's health including supporting heart health, maintaining muscle mass and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
Does Soy Feminize Men?
No. Soy isoflavone intake does not affect men’s reproductive hormones. There is no evidence that soy foods or soy protein affect men’s testosterone levels, cause an increase in estrogen, or feminize men.
Do Soy Foods Increase Cancer Risk?
No. Consuming soy does not increase the risk of cancer. In fact, consuming soy foods is associated with a decreased risk of certain cancers, like prostate cancer.
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