Here is another newsletter telling you that soy is not only healthy but NECESSARY for a wholesome diet.
Does soy cause man boobs?
This surprising question is widely based on a recurrent myth but does not seem to have any medical evidence.
I came across this picture floating on WhatsApp recently (Kumbh Mela 2021).
How many man- boobs can you spot here. Look at it closely, do you think ANY of them are on a high tofu diet ;)
(Of course I do not mean to hurt any religious sentiments here, just making a point)
Having man boobs, which is medically known as ‘gynecomastia’, has been related to hormones (the growth hormones and estrogen from dairy milk), and obesity. There is no good medical literature to prove that consuming soy will cause men's breast tissue to grow.
Soy is loaded with phytoestrogen, which are plant-based molecules often confused with the female sex hormone ‘estrogen’. That has raised the fear, and hence the myth, that eating soy could bring out feminine attributes in men, such as breast enlargement. However, not a single research study has found any association of soy and man boobs.
Therefore, I can safely assure you that this question is purely based on myth with no proven evidence whatsoever.
Who should avoid soy?
There are however some people who are bound to avoid consuming soy. A few people have soy allergies. Only about 1 in 2,000 people are actually allergic to soy, just like any other food allergy.
That number is 40 times less than the most common allergen i.e. dairy milk, and about ten times less than all the other common allergens like fish, nuts, wheat, eggs, shellfish, or peanuts.
If you are one of those people allergic to soy, you ought to avoid this legume and opt for other plant-based nutrient sources. If not, you are good to go!
The benefits of soy is for another newsletter, but let me tell you that there are plenty.
For now, have some soymilk or tofu!
Hope this helps,
Roshni Sanghvi.