If you are avoiding soy because of some of the reports that say its bad for you, heres another reason to reconsider. It could help you prevent – and even reduce – prostate cancer.
A Japanese study on 43,509 men aged 45-74 looked at their risk of getting localized prostate cancer. The researchers found that the soy compounds genistein, daidzein, and miso and soy foods can help reduce your risk for the disease. Those men over the age of 60 had the strongest reduction in risk.
Men in the highest quartile of genistein intake showed a 48% reduced risk of localized prostate cancer. They also found this reduced risk for those with the highest intakes of daidzein and soy foods.
I am not convinced that soy is the demon that many people are making it out to be. I do not see any problem with eating it in moderation. Please be absolutely sure that any soy you eat is organic. Otherwise, you will likely be eating a Monsanto genetically engineered Frankenfood. And fermented soy products (such as miso, tempeh and natto) are likely the best overall soy products.
Ref: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2007 March 2.