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Botanical illustration of Soybean
CulinarySourced entry

Soybean

Glycine max

A bean long grown in Asia and eaten as tofu, miso, tempeh, edamame and soy milk. Soy protein may lower cholesterol slightly, and isoflavones may ease hot flashes a little.

Safety at a glance

Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.

Soybean may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

What is Soybean?

Plant family
Fabaceae, the pea and bean family
Parts used
The beans (seeds)
Where it grows
Long cultivated in Asia; now also grown elsewhere, including the United States
Genus
Glycine
Species
max

Also called

Soy

Traditionally used for

  • Food
  • Cholesterol (soy protein)
  • Menopause hot flashes (small effect)
  • Bone density after menopause

Traditionally described as

  • Contains isoflavones (plant estrogens)

Health topics

Where Soybean appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.

How it's prepared

Common ways Soybean is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.

Safety

Interactions with medicines

  • Soy foods high in tyramine, such as tofu and soy sauce, have caused dangerously high blood pressure in people taking MAO inhibitors, a group of antidepressants.[1]Health agency

Allergies

  • Some people are allergic to soy. In the US, soy must be listed on the label of packaged foods and dietary supplements.[1]Health agency

Side effects

  • Soy can cause bloating, constipation, diarrhea and nausea. In studies, soy protein supplements were used safely for up to 16 weeks and concentrated isoflavone extracts for up to 6 months.[1]Health agency

Pregnancy

  • Soy may be unsafe during pregnancy in amounts larger than those found in food. Little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding.[1]Health agency

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Soybeans have long been grown in Asia. Today soy is promoted for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, menopause symptoms and many other conditions.[1]Health agency

Research in people

  • Research in people suggests:

    • Cholesterol: eating soy protein instead of other proteins may lower cholesterol slightly; soy isoflavones may not
    • Hot flashes: isoflavone supplements or soy protein may make menopausal hot flashes less frequent and severe, but the effect may be small and results vary
    • Bones: isoflavones probably help bone density after menopause
    • Blood pressure: isoflavones may lower it a little
    • Diabetes: diets high in soy may be linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes; it's unclear whether soy helps blood sugar control in people who already have it
    • Memory and thinking: studies conflict
    [1]Health agency

  • In observational studies, Asian and Asian-American women who eat more soy have a lower risk of breast cancer. Western diets may contain too little soy to see this effect, and soy supplements haven't been shown to lower breast cancer risk.[1]Health agency

In short

Soy is a common allergen. Tofu and soy sauce can interact with MAO inhibitor antidepressants.

Sources

  1. [1] Soy: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)Government health agency

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.