Beans are a big culinary favourite of people world-wide and their variety is vast. World gene banks currently hold about 40,000 bean varieties, although only a fraction is mass-produced for regular consumption.
Why is it so popular?
The soy bean has become a popular bean for growers due to its high protein levels, equivalent to that of meat. Soy cultivation has become a large industry, feeding not only humans but also animals. As its popularity and use have increased, so has the debate about its healthiness.
GMO or non-GMO, which choose?
Over the years, genetically modified soy species that can withstand a lot more pesticides have been developed and are currently widely used. To avoid consuming pesticide residues, we need to choose organic or non-GMO soy products. The soy protein in Natural Balance Soup is from non-GMO soy. The Natural Balance Soups are GMO free.
Is it worth consuming?
Soy products like tofu and soy mince can replace sausage, bacon, and burgers which contain nitrites, saturated fats and cholesterol. While soy beans are low in fat and cholesterol free, soy protein also has a cholesterol-lowering effect comparable to statins.
What about its effects on human body?
Another debate concerns soy’s content of isoflavones - antioxidants with estrogenic activity which are found in all beans and legumes. The questions commonly asked are whether they can feminize men or increase cancer risk in women. The results of human studies clearly show no negative effect at all on men’s hormonal function, testosterone levels, or fertility.
For women, moderate soy consumption seems to reduce risk of breast cancer and also prevent its recurrence, if regular consumption is maintained during and after treatment. High soy consumption is also correlated with maintenance of high bone density in postmenopausal women.
How plant protein consumption contributes?
There are three main benefits of consuming more legumes and plant protein in general:
1. Health
Omnivorous children and adults have a higher risk of many health problems, compared to their vegetarian friends. Plant protein sources contain healthier fats, less toxins, hormones and antibiotic residues than meat.
2. Environment
Legumes, grain and plants can be eaten directly. It takes a lot more resources to farm soy and grains to feed cattle, in order to later obtain their meat. Also, animals have most likely been fed GMO feed, meaning that you will consume more toxins through meat than through organic or non-GMO beans.
3. Ethics
Legumes and nuts provide the same amount and quality of protein, while no life is sacrificed. Want to increase the quantity of plant protein in your daily diet?
What can you do to improve your diet, if you don’t want to be vegetarian?
• Consume at least one vegetarian meal every day
• Replace meats with legumes, mushrooms, whole grains, nuts, eggs, low-fat dairy/dairy alternatives or fish, as often as possible
• Exchange animal protein for a serving of the Natural Balance Soup as often as you want.
Wellness wishes,
Burçak Ulmer
With Christmas just around the corner, we would like to wish you the happiest, healthiest, and most joyful festivities. We hope that you spend these precious days with your family and loved ones, in a delightful mood. Wellness by Oriflame will be there for you to help you celebrate in a healthy way – try incorporating our products into traditional Christmas recipes! With their lovely packaging and a message of self-improvement, Wellness products will also be a treat to find under the tree.
