6 Possible health benefits of tofu

healthydailymail.com "Health News"Consuming plant-based foods of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Countless studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant-based foods like tofu, decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and overall lower weight.

Recent studies have shown that due to its large quantities of isoflavones, tofu consumption is associated with lower risk of several specific age and lifestyle-related diseases, such as:

1. Cardiovascular disease: consuming tofu as an alternative to animal protein lowers levels of LDL cholesterol, which in turn decreases the risk of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.2
2. Breast and prostate cancer: genistein, the predominant isoflavone in soy, contains antioxidant properties that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.3 Moderate amounts of soy foods do not affect tumor growth or a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, at least 10mg of soy per day can decrease breast cancer recurrence by 25%.
3. Type 2 diabetes: people who suffer from type 2 diabetes often experience kidney disease, causing the body to excrete an excessive amount of protein in the urine. Evidence from a recent study has indicated that those who consumed only soy protein in their diet excreted less protein than those that consumed only animal protein.
4. Osteoporosis: soy isoflavones are known to decrease bone loss and increase bone mineral density during menopause, and have also been reported to reduce other menopausal symptoms.
5. Liver damage: studies have shown that tofu of all types that have been curdled with various coagulants can be used to prevent liver damage caused by free radicals.
6. Age-related brain diseases: based on geographic epidemiological findings, it has been observed that populations that consume greater amounts of soy have, in general, less incidence of age-related mental disorders.

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