Scientific Advisory Board
- Alan Rogol, MD, PhD»
- Ian Rowland, PhD»
- Donna Kritz-Silverstein, PhD»
- Mark Messina, PhD, MS»
- Mary Hardy, MD»
- David Jenkins, MD, DSc, PhD»
Silk®s Nutrition Team
Answered Questions
- Are fermented soyfoods nutritionally superior to unfermented soyfoods?»
- How much soy protein is recommended for daily consumption?»
- What is the status of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soy heart health claim?»
- What exactly makes soy heart-healthy?»
- Is soy protein a complete protein?»
- How can consumers determine how much soy protein is in a food?»
- Is there an FDA recommendation for daily isoflavone intake?»
- Is soymilk recommended for infants?»
- Are soyfoods recommended for toddlers and older children?»
- Do isoflavone supplements provide the same benefits as eating soyfoods?»
- Does soy increase the risk of breast cancer?»
- Is it possible to consume too much soy protein?»
- Is the use of soyfoods associated with gastrointestinal disturbances?»
- Does consuming soy affect hormone levels?»
- What is the relationship between soy and thyroid function?»
- Is it possible that soy could have negative health effects on men?»
- What is the relationship between soy intake and prostate cancer?»
- Is soy infant formula safe?»
- Could avoiding soy impact the thyroid function of a person with Hashimoto’s disease?»
- Are soyfoods safe for breast cancer survivors to consume?»
ANSWERED QUESTIONS
How much soy protein is recommended for daily consumption?
Answered by Andrea Carrothers, MS, RD - October 1, 2010
While there is no RDA for soy protein, many epidemiological studies show positive impact from as little as 10–15 grams of soy protein per day.1 This amount of soy protein can be found in 1–2 servings of most soy foods. The FDA-approved heart health claim for soy protein reads “25 grams of soy protein a day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.”2 In order to display this health claim, food must contain a minimum of 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving. Consumers should be encouraged to check nutrition labels to determine soy protein content.
Featured Expert
Katy Raneri is the director of nutrition at WhiteWave Foods. Her responsibilities include establishing an industry-wide center of expertise in health and wellness for the company; developing and implementing Full bio >>
References
1. Messina M. Potential public health implications of the hypocholesterolemic effects of soy protein. Nutr. 2003;19:280-1.
2. Food labeling: health claims; soy protein and coronary heart disease. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule. Fed Regist. 1999;64:57700-33.