The review, including results from eight human studies, finds that individuals lost equivalent amounts of weight and, in some cases, equal inches of fat around the waist, using soy protein, dairy milk meal replacements, beef or pork at equal calorie levels. This illustrates the value of soy protein in a varied diet for weight control. Findings also support the possibility that soy protein decreases short-term appetite and calorie intake. Extensive follow-up trials are needed to prove the satiety, or feeling of fullness, factor of soy protein. Here’s an excerpt from the article, where I’ve highlighted the health various health benefits of soy foods.

Researchers also examined whether soy isoflavones reduce diabetes by stopping fat tissue build up and enhancing fat breakdown. Limited animal trials and human studies suggest soy-based diets and isoflavones may lower blood glucose and insulin levels. If proven effective, a soy-based meal replacement could provide additional benefits to diabetics during weight reduction. Researchers confirmed soy-based diets, compared to other low calorie diets, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. Findings indicate soy may reduce bone loss in women, but additional clinical trials on soy and bone loss are needed.

More info on the health benefits of soy, from the Soyfoods Association of America website. Be sure to check their list of 25 Ways to Enjoy Soy Foods.

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Soy Foods May Help in Weight Loss, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Bone Loss

The researchers, led by Shin Joung Rho at Hanyang University, Seoul, allowed 32 rats to gorge on a fatty diet, supplemented with various levels of black soya. The results showed that, after two weeks, those getting 10% of their energy from black soya had gained half as much weight as those in the control group. Total blood cholesterol fell by 25% and LDL (so-called “bad”) cholesterol fell by 60% in the rats in the 10% group.
David Bender, sub-dean at the Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, thinks that the soya protein may be having an effect on fat metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue, reducing synthesis of new fatty acids and cholesterol. It is this metabolic effect that may explain the traditional Asian use of black soya in the treatment of diabetes. “The key problem in type II diabetes is impairment of insulin action, mainly as a result of excess abdominal adipose tissue – so loss of weight often improves glycaemic control,” says Dr Bender.

Should you require further reading, the study has been published in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Does anyone know recipes that incorporate black soya?

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Anti-obesity Soya Could Help Prevent Weight Gain, Diabetes

According to the results, soy protein supplementation helps lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, bad cholesterol), and triglycerides, but slightly increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, good cholesterol).

These results indicate that soy protein supplementation reduces serum lipids among adults with or without hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, replacing foods high in saturated fat, trans-saturated fat, and cholesterol with soy protein may have a beneficial effect on coronary risk factors.

What soy products can you incorporate in your diet?

Well, there’s tofu and soymilk. Soy protein is also used a lot as a vegetarian alternative to meat. There are also tofu-based desserts, such as Pete’s Tofu2Go. I grew up snacking on tofu-and-caramelized-sugar made by local cottage industries where I used to live, but I haven’t tried these fancy flavored ones. You’ll probably have to try and see what soy product suits your taste.

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Soy Protein Improves CardioVascular Health