THE CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS OF SOY

A healthy heart is a healthy life. Therefore, it is important to do everything you can to maintain optimal cardiovascular health. One major way to do this is by eating a healthy diet.

Research over the past few years has proved that there is one food that should be included in your heart healthy diet, and that is soy.

In fact, statistics show that on average, Asians are at lower risk for cardiovascular diseases as compared to western folks. A major reason for this is believed to be their significant consumption of soy.

So, when discussing your heart healthy diet with your specialist cardiologist in Dubai, it is worth asking about incorporating more soy into your diet. Here is why:

Benefits of Soy for Heart Health

1. Lowers LDL (Bad Cholesterol)

Soy is a plant-based source of rich protein. Using soy as a substitute for animal-based sources of protein, such as red meat, can therefore reduce bad cholesterol, or LDL levels. Red meats are known to contribute to blocked arteries, high blood pressure, and bad cholesterol over time. Hence, lowering your consumption of animal protein in favor of soy will reduce this risk.

2. High Source of Heart Healthy Nutrients

Soy products, like other legumes, are high in their contents of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and polyunsaturated fats. These are all nutrients which are popular for contributing to heart health and promotes healthily functioning blood vessels.

3. Great Source of Isoflavones

Soybeans are an exceptional source of isoflavones, a class of polyphenols found almost exclusively in this legume. The main isoflavones in soybeans are genistein, daidzein and glycitein. Isoflavones present numerous potential health benefits, which include protection against age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and loss of cognitive function.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Isoflavones promote the establishment of an intestinal microbiome enriched with bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory molecules. This means that consuming more soy products can help reduce and prevent inflammation in the cardiovascular system, blood vessels, and heart.

5. Contains Phytic Acid

Nonfermented soy products contain hytic acid, myoinositol hexaphosphate, and it remains very stable during heating. Phytic acid bonds to zinc strongly in the intestinal tract, thus decreasing its absorption. Since soy foods contain both copper and phytic acid, it may therefore lower cholesterol levels by decreasing the ratio of zinc to copper.

These are just a few heart benefits of soy products. Research is still ongoing to find out more about the effect of soy products for cardiovascular health. But it is safe to say that soy is a good addition to your diet for promotion of optimal heart health.

Discuss with your heart specialists in Dubai about the best way to start incorporating soy into your diet.

How to Include More Soy in Your Diet?

There are a wide range of soy products that you can include into your diet for a healthier heart. Some great options to include in your diet are:

• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Miso
• Soybeans
• Soy nuts
• Soy milk
• Soy yogurt
• Soy cheese
• Edamame

Making simple substitutions in your diet, such as replacing regular milk with soy milk, or adding a handful of edamame into your salad or meal, can make a huge difference in improving your cardiovascular health.

Keep in mind that you should always consult with your cardiologist in Dubai before incorporating a new type of food into your diet. This is especially important if you are already following a heart health maintenance regime.

Where to Find the Best Heart Hospital in Dubai?

The German Heart Centre is the leading heart hospital in Dubai. Our team of heart specialists in Dubai are dedicated to providing the best preventive cardiovascular health care, as well as treatment and monitoring of a range of heart conditions. We can help you create the best heart healthy diet plan. Book an appointment with a specialist cardiologist in Dubai at the German Heart Centre today!