Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
There is significant evidence that many if not all plant proteins lower cholesterol levels compared to animal proteins, which increase cholesterol levels, but soy is often singled out for its cholesterol-lowering effects. What might we say about soy beyond that single biomarker? Does soy deserve an especially prominent place in the whole food, plant-based dietary lifestyle?
Learn more about soy and the WFPB diet at nutritionstudies.org/courses/plant-based-nutrition
nutritionstudies.org/crucial-soy-link
References
1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Authorized health claims that meet the significant scientific agreement (SSA) standard. Accessed March 21, 2024. fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/authorized-health-claims-meet-significant-scientific-agreement-ssa-standard
2. Anderson JW, Johnstone BM, Cook-Newell ME. Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(5):276-282. doi:10.1056/NEJM199508033330502
3. Jenkins DJ, Mirrahimi A, Srichaikul K, et al. Soy protein reduces serum cholesterol by both intrinsic and food displacement mechanisms. J Nutr. 2010;140(12):2302S-2311S. doi:10.3945/jn.110.124958
4. Blanco Mejia S, Messina M, Li SS, et al. A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults. J Nutr. 2019;149(6):968-981. doi:10.1093/jn/nxz020
5. Jenkins DJA, Blanco Mejia S, Chiavaroli L, et al. Cumulative Meta-Analysis of the Soy Effect Over Time. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(13):e012458. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.012458
There is significant evidence that many if not all plant proteins lower cholesterol levels compared to animal proteins, which increase cholesterol levels, but soy is often singled out for its cholesterol-lowering effects. What might we say about soy beyond that single biomarker? Does soy deserve an especially prominent place in the whole food, plant-based dietary lifestyle?
Learn more about soy and the WFPB diet at nutritionstudies.org/courses/plant-based-nutrition
nutritionstudies.org/crucial-soy-link
References
1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Authorized health claims that meet the significant scientific agreement (SSA) standard. Accessed March 21, 2024. fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/authorized-health-claims-meet-significant-scientific-agreement-ssa-standard
2. Anderson JW, Johnstone BM, Cook-Newell ME. Meta-analysis of the effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(5):276-282. doi:10.1056/NEJM199508033330502
3. Jenkins DJ, Mirrahimi A, Srichaikul K, et al. Soy protein reduces serum cholesterol by both intrinsic and food displacement mechanisms. J Nutr. 2010;140(12):2302S-2311S. doi:10.3945/jn.110.124958
4. Blanco Mejia S, Messina M, Li SS, et al. A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults. J Nutr. 2019;149(6):968-981. doi:10.1093/jn/nxz020
5. Jenkins DJA, Blanco Mejia S, Chiavaroli L, et al. Cumulative Meta-Analysis of the Soy Effect Over Time. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(13):e012458. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.012458
