Soy Products FAQ's
What is Soy Good For? What are the Ingredients and Content?
Research has shown soy products to be an excellent addition to any diet. Eastern cultures have traditionally consumed diets high in soy content, and the incidence of certain diseases have been significantly lower in Eastern cultures. Western cultures, which consume diets high in animal fats, appear to have higher incidences of certain diseases, as well as obesity. Although research is ongoing, scientists believe the isoflavone content of natural soy may be responsible for its health benefits. In fact, the FDA has approved a statement to be used in the labeling of qualified soy products:
Calculating the isoflavone content of any Soy product is fairly simple. Generally speaking, there are 2 mg of soy isoflavones per gram of Soy Protein. Take the protein content of a Soy product from NOW® and multiply it by two, then convert to milligrams. For example, if Soy Milk powder contains 9 grams of protein per serving, multiply 9 times 2 for 18, then convert to milligrams, for a total of 18 mg of isoflavones per serving.
Soy Protein is one of our most popular Soy products. We use the Supro® brand of Soy Protein Isolate, one of the highest quality forms of this nutrient. On the label of this product, it states that the product contains “90% Soy Protein”. The other 10% is composed of moisture and naturally occurring minerals. Each serving may contain up to 42 mg of naturally occurring soy isoflavones per serving, with the average falling in the mid-30 mg range. We do not add isoflavones to any of our Soy products – all isoflavones are naturally occurring. Soy Protein contains no gluten, wheat, barley, rye or oat-based fillers, and no chemicals are used in the extraction process - water only (hydrolysis). It is usually mixed into drinks or shakes, but can be used in baking applications if desired. Since it is a pure protein product, there are no carbohydrates in Soy Protein Powder.
The soybeans used to produce NOW® Soy products contain naturally occurring oxalic acid, but the levels are extremely low and do not pose a concern for persons sensitive to this compound. Avoid foods like spinach, cabbage, rhubarb, sorrel and black tea. These foods are generally high in oxalic acid.
Are your soy products GE-free?
Many of our Soy products are GE-free, and we are adding to this list often. All of our non-GE Soy products are clearly labeled as such on the principal display panel (front of label). If “non-GE” does not appear on the labeling of a Soy product, it is not free of genetically modified organisms. Do not confuse “organic” with “non-GE” – they are not the same. While organic products are GE-free, there are other factors that qualify a product as organic that do not apply to non-GE products. As with non-GE Soy products, organic Soy products are clearly labeled as such.
NOW carries an extensive line of regular and GE-free Soy products.
What is the equivalency between cooked and uncooked Soybeans?
Many people like to consume uncooked soybeans instead of cooking them, but aren’t sure of the equivalency between cooked and uncooked soybeans. When consuming uncooked soybeans, 1/3 cup equals 1 cup of cooked soybeans. Cooked or uncooked, Soybeans are a great source of natural nutrients!
How do I reconstitute NOW® Soy Powder or Soy Milk Powder?
Due to space limitations in the labeling of our Soy Powder and Soy Milk Powder, reconstitution instructions were not included on the package. Mix ¼ cup of Soy Powder with 8 to 10 ounces of water for reconstitution purposes. Soy Milk made with NOW® Soy Powder or Soy Milk Powder is delicious, nutritious, and usually less expensive than pre-packaged soy milk brands. Also, there are no additives or preservatives.
“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.”
NOW® Soy Milk Powder doesn’t contain mixing instructions. How much powder do I use to make a quart of Soy Milk?
For one quart of Soy Milk, mix ¼ cup in 8-10 ounces of water. This product is instantized and should mix easily. NOW® Soy Milk Powder is free of genetically engineered ingredients.
Can you provide recipes that utilize your Soy products?
NOW® does not offer recipes or a cookbook for Soy products at this time. Check the HealthNotes section of our website for a variety of healthy recipes, some containing soy products. Your local health food store or bookstore should also carry several cookbooks that utilize Soy products and other natural products. For a list of health food stores in your area that carry NOW® products, visit the Store Locator section of the NOW Foods website. Have your zip code or area code handy for searching the store nearest you.
What Soy products does NOW® carry and how can I order?
NOW carries an extensive line of regular and GMO-free Soy products. Research has shown soy to be an excellent addition to any diet. Eastern cultures have traditionally consumed diets high in soy content, and the incidence of certain diseases have been significantly lower in Eastern cultures. Western cultures, which consume diets high in animal fats, appear to have higher incidences of certain diseases, as well as obesity. Although research is ongoing, scientists believe the isoflavone content of natural soy may be responsible for its health benefits. In fact, the FDA has approved a statement to be used in the labeling of qualified soy products:
“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.”
You will find this approved statement on any applicable NOW® Soy product, along with the number of grams of Soy Protein per serving.
Is the synthesized Ipriflavone molecule identical to the isoflavone molecules found in soy? Is it of concern if breast cancer runs in the family?
Ipriflavones’s structure is slightly different from soy's isoflavones: daidzein, genistein, and glycitein. It does resemble its major metabolite daidzein. Daidzein may have mild estrogenic-like properties so most nutritionists would be conservative and not suggest Ipriflavone for someone with estrogen sensitive issues. |
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