Abstract

Recent experimental and epidemiological studies have provided convincing evidence for a variety of health benefits derived from the consumption of soy and soy food products. For example, soy isoflavones are felt to protect against different cancers, cardiovascular disease, and bone loss. Many studies have demonstrated the effect of soy isoflavones on specific target molecules and signaling pathways, including but not limited to, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell adhesion and migration, metastasis, and activity of different enzymes. Isoflavones also share structural homologies with estrogens and are therefore classified as phytoestrogens with weak estrogenic properties. Since isoflavones bind to estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), they are considered to be possible estrogen receptor modulators. However, isoflavones can also exert biological effects independent of their phytoestrogenic activities. Recent studies suggest beneficial health effects of soy and recommend increasing the intake of isoflavone-rich soy protein to the level of intake commonly used in Asian countries.

Keywords: soy, isoflavones, cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and signaling pathways