Press Release on Soy Food Video News Release and Consumer Brochure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Soyfoods Association of North America
1050 17th Street, N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-3520
February 1, 2006, Washington, D.C. – Although much has recently been said about soy and heart disease, the bottom line is that eating soy foods daily helps Americans maintain healthy weight, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol. “For many individuals, soy protein foods in a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet can boost weight loss that leads to decreasing the risk of heart disease and the rate of onset of Type II diabetes,” said Dr. David Allison, a weight loss expert and a Professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Head of the Clinical Nutrition & Research Center.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) obesity increases the risk of morbidity from hypertension, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. As American Heart Month begins February 1, the Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) announces the release of its new Video News Release (VNR) that focuses on how soy can help control obesity and complications that may arise from obesity. This media tool introduces consumers to a wide array of soy foods in the marketplace that help meet the new USDA MyPyramid dietary recommendations for achieving good health.
The American Heart Association finds that 25-50 grams soy protein (4 to 6 servings of soy foods daily) modestly lowers bad blood cholesterol on average 3 % and triglycerides about 5%, according to a report in the January issue of Circulation. Furthermore, the AHA points to the polyunsaturated fat, fiber, vitamin, and mineral content of soy products as important reasons to include soy foods in a heart healthy diet in place of less healthy or less nutrient rich choices. The 3% modest reduction in blood cholesterol from consuming soy in the diet is above any reduction from a low fat and low saturated fat diet alone and results in a 6% reduction in cardiovascular risk, which is a desirable goal. FDA found similar results from a 1998 review of research that formed the basis for the FDA soy and heart health claim stating, “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.” The FDA claim requires stating the amount of soy protein per serving of soy product.
For the average woman who consumes 70 grams of protein and man who consumes 93 grams of protein (according to federal nutrition surveys), reaching 25 grams of soy protein per day is achievable with the wide array of soy foods available today. “Since the average adult eats considerably more protein than the recommended Daily Value of at least 50 grams for a 2000 calorie diet, reaching 25 grams of soy protein every day is easily achieved,” explains Kim Galeaz, RD, CD, an Indianapolis-based registered dietitian and consultant to restaurants and food manufacturers. “And supermarkets today are filled with a wide variety of soy foods.”
Current research studies are showing that soy protein may increase satiety, increase lean body mass, and help reduce weight with a subsequent drop in the risk of diabetes. Add the benefits of weight reduction and blood sugar control to the modest changes in cholesterol, and Americans who regularly consume soy foods as part of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are well on their way to better health. Soy foods have a place in the diets of children as the high quality protein boosts growth and development without the risk of obesity and the related high blood sugars.
SANA has also developed a new Consumer Packet that demonstrates the health benefits of consuming soy. This colorful and easy to use packet consolidates valuable information reviewed by dietitians and nutrition experts and can help individuals and families replace less nutrient dense or less healthy food choices with soy foods. The positive role of soy in heart disease, weight management and child health are featured. The packet includes details on numerous soy products available to consumers, convenient tips for incorporating soy foods into your diet, and a one-page guide Meeting the Goal with Soy. This guideillustrates how soy can fit into meals and snacks throughout the day. To obtain the Consumer Brochure and view the VNR visit the link for SANA’s web site www.soyfoods.com.
Choose soy foods for your taste buds and waist line.
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A non-profit organization founded in 1979, Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) represents more than 50 members, comprised of large and small soy foods companies, growers and suppliers of soybeans, nutritionists, equipment representatives, food scientists, and retailers. SANA encourages sustainability, integrity, and growth of the soy foods industry by promoting the benefits of soy-based foods, and is committed to increasing consumer awareness, establishing and adopting standards for new and existing soy foods, and being the key resource on soyfoods and ingredients in the industry. For more information, visit their website at www.soyfoods.org
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