Posted on March 3, 2010.
Increased demand for soy Without doubt, the soybeans are now proving to be the most adaptable on the nutraceutical market. Product line of snack bars soy, powdered sprouted soybeans, isoflavone supplements derived from soybeans, isolated soy protein, textured soy milk and all sorts of non-dairy products like yogurt, tofu, and more. Soy is also known to be the world's cultures oil, constituting about 54 percent of the global market.
In 1999, the FDA approved health claims, which allows manufacturers of food supplements for linking soy consumption to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. With this support from the federal government, the soy industry has doubled its total sales in just five years, reaching $ 4 billion by 2004.
In 2007, the National Agricultural Research Organization in Japan have developed a variety of soy deodorized, which eliminated unpleasant taste of soy, without compromising its nutritional value. deodorized soybean quickly attracted the attention of manufacturers of soy in the world, leading to the explosion of an assortment of soy products.
The science behind the health of soy
The reason for the dramatic increase in demand for soy products can be attributed to greater consumer awareness. Soy has high fiber content, is rich in protein, minerals and low in saturated fat. Research suggests soy have multiple health benefits that meet the health crisis of modern society.
- With heart disease to reach epidemic scale, more people are turning to soy substitutes for reasons of the heart healthy. Research indicates the ability of soy to lower bad cholesterol.
- The studies demonstrate the beneficial contribution of soy per day in people with hypertension or hypertension. Soy, in the form of nattokinase, helps to lower blood pressure. This is indeed good news if one considers that by 2025 approximately 1.5 billion people (1 in 3 adults) around the world suffer from hypertension, if the preventive health measures are not taken today.
- Scientists agree that soy products help to increase satiety and can be used effectively in programs for weight management.
- Research has shown liver protective properties of soy, especially in people with diabetes.
- More studies link soy to bone health, bone density especially in postmenopausal women.
- Other beneficial effects of soy have been observed in cases like hyperlipidemia, prostate enlargement, bladder cancer, elevated homocysteine, as well as several types of cancer.
- A more recent study linked soy consumption to lung health.
Soy enjoys worldwide popularity
While the soybean industry has increased by 7% in 2006 controversial anti-soy and sensationalisms hurt sales of soy supplement resulting in a decrease of 15 percent this year, according to Natural Foods Merchandiser (NFM). The allegations have attacked the benefits of soy in many aspects, but also claims that soy products may lower testosterone levels in healthy men. More recent studies challenged these reports stating their conclusions were based on inadequate methodology and research. Further investigation and research have indicated that no such adverse affects.1 After overcoming the allegations, the soybean industry is alive and holds a promising future.
USA
Food and drinks soy attracted increased 29 percent from 2003 to 2007, causing a compound annual growth of 6.6 percent, according to Packaged Facts. The research firm also provides a cautious growth for soy-based products, the estimated total value of soy foods and drinks market to reach $ 3 billion by 2012.
Europe
controversial anti-soy had little effect on the European market where sales of soybeans has continued to develop. Here, several leaders
