Open AccessSoybean Foods and Their Benefits: Potential Mechanisms of Action
Author(s) -
Omoni Adetayo O.,
Aluko Rotimi E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2005.tb00141.x
Subject(s) - isoflavones , health benefits , disease , osteoporosis , cancer , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , endocrinology , traditional medicine
Isoflavones have been proposed to be the active component responsible for the beneficial effects of soybean foods, and appear to work in conjunction with the proteins to protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Most of the research activities on the benefits of soybean foods have focused on the role these isoflavones play in disease prevention or treatment; however, there is also some evidence that the benefits are attributable to certain peptides or protein fractions from soybeans. This review will focus on some of the potential mechanisms whereby soybeans exert their protective effects against heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis .