Minimally processed forms of soy — such as edamame, tofu, tempeh, miso paste, and soy milk — are all safe and healthy. In fact, soy products are recommended as part of a healthy diet by such groups as the American Cancer Society, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association (and we can go on).
So if you’ve been shunning soy at the grocery store or at your favorite neighborhood Japanese restaurant, here’s why you need to forget the myths you’ve heard about soy and embrace the bean.
References
American Cancer Society. (2025). Soy and cancer risk: An expert's advice.
American Institute for Cancer Research. (2021). Soy: Intake does not increase risk for breast cancer survivors.
Barrett, JR. (2006). The science of soy: what do we really know? Environmental Health Perspectives.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Preventable deaths from heart disease & stroke.
Ellis, E. (2022). Prepare heart-healthy foods for your family. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022). Straight talk about soy.
Hoy, M, et al. (2012). Potassium intake of the U.S. population. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Klemm, S. (2021). Food sources of 5 important nutrients for vegetarians. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Lanou, AJ. (2011). Soy foods: are they useful for optimal bone health? Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.
Messina, M. (2016). Soy and health update: evaluation of the clinical and epidemiologic literature. Nutrients.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025). Soy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2016). Preventing chronic kidney disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Your kidneys and how they work.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (n.d.). Soy and health.
Why trust our experts?
