Amid all of the things we hear about weight loss, it’s hard to determine what actually works and what’s better left ignored. Some say a mixture of cardiovascular exercise and strength training, while other say that weight loss starts in the kitchen. Others choose the diet route to shed the pounds, which can sometimes leave you with results that are subpar. Experts are now finding that there is something that actually may make a difference in creating a slimmer waist: Soy protein.
What is soy protein?
Soy protein is derived from soybeans and is considered a complete protein which contains all the essential amino acids the body needs. Soy is packed with both arginine and glutamine. Arginine helps promote muscle growth while glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. Sometimes extreme stress and intense exercise like marathons can deplete the body’s levels of glutamine – stored in muscles. This amino acid can help your immune system function and appears to be necessary for normal brain function and digestion.
Soy and weight loss
According to a new University of Illinois study, as intake of soy increases, weight tends to decrease. The study found that soy had a significant impact on the body by boosting metabolism. Researchers were surprised to find that soy did have an effect on regulatory hormones and their receptors that signal to the brain that the body is full, but the soy didn’t work by reducing food intake.
The effects of soy protein on weight loss were also studied on obese subjects that were given a soy protein-based low calorie meal replacement beverage instead of a milk-based equivalent. Researchers found that a low calorie diet with soy protein-based foods vs. a diet with animal protein-based foods was more effective when it came to weight loss, lowering blood lipids and keeping the weight off.
How to get soy protein
You can easily incorporate soy protein powder into your daily diet through a meal replacement powder. If you have a sweet tooth, start your morning off with a vanilla or chocolate shake using Naturade Total Soy. This is a quick solution to help you reach your weight loss goals without compromising taste or nutrition. With 13 grams of soy protein and 24 vitamins and minerals, this delicious snack may help you on your way to weight loss.
However, there are more ways to get your soy protein than through a sweet shake. Protein powders can be added to almost any meal to give it a boost. Bake a few scoops into your favorite morning muffin or oatmeal. For lunch, whip up a bowl of protein-packed mashed potatoes and for dinner, mix some protein powder into your ground beef for a beastly burger. Once dessert rolls around, consider delicious options like vanilla protein cheesecake, rice krispie treats or a vanilla protein cake.
Other benefits of soy protein
According to the Journal of Perinatal Education, soy protein also offers many other ingredients that impact heart health. The journal reported that consumption of soy protein has been found to reduce serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides. Those with elevated cholesterol seem to receive the greatest benefit.
Vegetarians and vegans can also benefit from soy because it gives them an alternative way to obtain essential vitamins without eating any animal products or byproducts.
