Do men who eat a lot of soy become "feminized"?

Some scientists are concerned that consuming too many phytoestrogens may disrupt the body's hormonal balance. The most studied phytoestrogen is soy isoflavones.

Most evidence suggests that isoflavones, found in soybeans, do not adversely affect male fertility. (Illustration: Shutterstock)

When it comes to men's health, scientists are most concerned that too much exposure to phytoestrogens can reduce fertility. So do men who eat a lot of soy products actually have reduced fertility?

In fact, phytoestrogens are classified as endocrine disruptors. These are chemicals that can interfere with the body's hormonal system when consumed in high enough doses.

However, according to Healthline, there is not much evidence that phytoestrogens have harmful effects in humans.

Specifically, a study in cheetahs found that high phytoestrogen consumption reduced male fertility. However, scientists have shown that phytoestrogens may have different effects in carnivores, such as cheetahs, than in omnivores, such as humans.

In fact, there is no strong evidence linking high phytoestrogen intake to fertility problems in humans.

The most studied phytoestrogen is soy isoflavones. Some studies have shown that isoflavones may suppress thyroid function in people with poor thyroid function, known as hypothyroidism. However, most studies in healthy people have not found any significant link between isoflavones and thyroid function.

Currently, there is no good evidence that other common phytoestrogens have adverse effects on human health.

An analysis of 15 controlled studies concluded that soy isoflavones, whether found in foods or supplements, do not alter testosterone levels in men.

Additionally, one study found that taking 40 mg of isoflavone supplements daily for two months did not reduce semen quality or quantity in men.

Thus, most evidence suggests that isoflavones, a common group of phytoestrogens, do not adversely affect male fertility. There is no strong evidence that phytoestrogens cause problems in healthy men.

Phytoestrogens are abundant in many healthy plant foods. In most cases, the benefits of eating these foods outweigh the potential health risks.

According to Dr. Phung Tuan Giang, President of the Vietnam Institute for Research and Development of Traditional Medicine, soy allergies are also very common. If we are allergic to soy, it is very important to avoid tofu and other soy products.

People with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer, may choose to avoid soy products due to their soy isoflavone content, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.

However, a growing number of new studies are finding that eating soy foods is not linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.

In fact, a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer even found that regular tofu consumption was associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Tofu also contains phytate, which is a type of antinutrient that can bind to minerals like calcium and zinc and prevent their absorption in the body. It also contains trypsin inhibitors, which interfere with protein digestion and absorption.

However, this is not a concern for most people, as soaking, sprouting, cooking and fermenting tofu can significantly reduce the antinutrient content.

Additionally, soy contains goitrogens, which are compounds that can interfere with thyroid hormone production. For this reason, Dr. Giang says it’s important to keep soy intake in moderation and enjoy it as part of a balanced diet, especially if you have a history of thyroid problems.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nam-gioi-an-nhieu-dau-nanh-co-bi-nu-hoa-246989.html