Soy Story

It comes in the form of a liquid. It comes in the form of powder. It even comes in burger form. \nSuch a vast variety of products lie inside one tiny bean. \nSoy is wedging its way into the lives of American consumers and has become one of the fastest-growing nutritional staples in the everyday diets of many.\nKim Galeaz R.D., C.D., the food and nutrition consultant to the Indiana Soybean Board, said the consumption of soy could be considered a trend, but at the same time she thinks there is a permanent spot awaiting its arrival on the market. \n"Eventually it will be stabilized," she said. "It will be here to stay."\nIn 2002, U.S. soy sales increased 12.8 percent to bring the total consumption of American sales to $3.6 billion, according to Soyatech Inc., a market research and consulting firm that specializes in the soybean industry.\n"The main reason for consuming soy, that have been seen, are the emerging health benefits," Galeaz said. "Also, several studies have shown that the sooner you introduce soy into a person's diet, the better chance of reducing their blood cholesterol."\nThat's not the only reason for consumption.\nShe said there are actually a variety of diseases soy can prevent or have a positive effect on, including prostate and colon cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and it can even ease menopausal symptoms. \nGaleaz explained there is an isoflavone -- a compound that acts like a type of hormone that can be used as a nutritional supplement -- found in soy protein, which is what actually gives us these health benefits. This type of protein helps to lower blood cholesterol, which in turn, gives the heart less of a chance of having problems down the road.\nOn the other hand, many dieters find soy to be a perfect alternative to other fatty foods they would normally consume. \n"It's not that it provides so much more, but it does provide high-quality protein without the high saturated fat in meats," said Victoria Getty, director of the Dietetic Program at IU. "It gives you all of the good things without much of the bad."\nBesides the reduction of fat in most soy products, the added fiber is also a positive. \n"Many people are 'saving fat' and looking for fiber in the same food," Galeaz said.\nSoy protein products are some of the only foods that can provide this type of combination. \n"The average American is supposed to consume 25 grams of fiber a day. Americans are lucky to get 10," Galeaz said. She said soy is a way to obtain fiber on a daily basis.\nNot only have dieters become accustomed to soy fitting their needs, but many vegetarians have also found it to be essential in their diet.\n"It has a high-quality type of protein for vegetarians," Galeaz said. These people are not getting an abundance of that essential protein in fruits and vegetables, but soy is the "in" to a vast variety of foods that provide this vital nutrition.\nSenior Anne Skubis has chosen to consume an abundance of soy for this reason.\n"I think it's a great resource not only for health conscience people, but for people who choose to become vegetarian or vegan for ethical purposes," she said. "I'm a vegetarian so I eat it for its high-quality protein."\nMore and more soy products are making their way into the market. \n"Over the past couple of years, there has been steady growth, about a 25 to 30 percent increase per year," said Matt Abdon, co-manager at a Bloomington Kroger. "We have expanded upon our natural foods department to make more room for these foods."\nAmericans can expect to see soy products on more than just the shelves at Kroger. And grocery stores may not be the only place where soy will become a long-lasting trend. \n"More schools, universities and restaurants will be incorporating more soy because people are going to be asking for it," Galeaz said. "People have finally realized that these soy foods taste good."\n-- Contact staff writer Stacie Vasko at svasko@indiana.edu.