Soy

Soy, a plant in the pea family, has been common in Asian diets for thousands of years. It is found in modern American diets as a food or food additive. Soybeans, the high-protein seeds of the soy plant, contain isoflavones—compounds similar to the female hormone estrogen. Research suggests that daily intake of soy protein may slightly lower levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Soy: At a Glance