Nutritive Benefits of Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>)

Abstract

Soybean is rich in protein and can enhance the nutritional quality of food products. Now-a-days Soybeans are world’s important provider of vegetable protein and oil. Soybeans have been classified as oilseed. Soybeans are most widely grown oilseed in the world. Soybean (Glycine max) is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for oil production. The article will focus on nutritive benefits of soybean. Soybean is excellent source of high quality protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. It is also a good source of B complex vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium. Soybean is a rich source of phytoestrogens, especially isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are utilized for estrogen replacement therapy. The isoflavones in soybean helps to reduce LDL level. Phytoestrogens are non-steroidal plant compounds that exert estrogenic effects. It is economic and effectively meets human body requirements.