Soybeans also known as soya beans, are a
species of legume that has become one of the most widely consumed foods in the
world with numerous uses. The plant is classed as an oilseed rather than a
pulse which are extremely useful for human health and they are easy to
cultivate as well. These legumes are produced in greatest numbers in the United
States and South America, but they are actually native to East Asia. Nigeria is
the largest producer of soybean in sub-Saharan Africa. Soya beans are mostly
produced in the middle belt with Benue state accounting for the highest
production in Nigeria.
Some of the states producing soya beans in Nigeria
include Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Ogun, Taraba,
Adamawa, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Jigawa, Lagos, Plateau, Ekiti and the Federal
Capital Territory. It’s a major benefit in African farming systems, where soils
have become exhausted by the need to produce more food for increasing
populations, and where fertilizers are hardly available and are expensive for
farmers.
Soybean is among the world’s healthiest foods and has numerous health
benefits:
Soybeans are a very good source
of isoflavones, which are essential components of the female reproductive
system whereby Relieving Menopausal Symptoms
in females.
It contains nutrients, vitamins (vitamin K, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6,
thiamin, and vitamin C), and organic compounds including a significant amount
of dietary fiber and a very large amount of protein. As for minerals, soybeans contain significant
amounts of iron, manganese, phosphorus, copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc,
selenium, and calcium which allows for new bones to grow, essential for the
formation of red blood cells and also speeds up the healing process of the
bones.
Improve Metabolic Activity: soybeans are an extremely important
source of protein which ensures proper health and regrowth of cells if they
need to be repaired or replaced.
It helps in suppressing appetite
thereby eliminating the possible chances of feeling hungry or overeating which
in turns helps in weight loss and healthy weight gain too because of the
presence of fiber and protein content.
Prevent Cancer: The levels of antioxidants in soybeans make them
good for preventing the onset of various cancers. The high fiber content in
soybeans has been connected to a reduction in colorectal and colon cancer,
since fiber helps ease the digestive process and thus putting far less strain
on the gastrointestinal system.
Fiber is an essential part of a
healthy body, particularly in terms of the digestive system. Soybeans have high
quantity of fibre whereby Boosting
Digestion.
The high levels of vitamin B complex and folic acid in soybeans are
very important for pregnant women.
Soybeans are an effective method
of prevention and management of diabetes,
primarily because soybeans have shown an ability to increase insulin receptors
in the body, thereby helping manage diabetes effectively or prevent it from occurring
in the first place.
Soybeans help in reducing sleep disorders and the
occurrence of insomnia.
Boost Heart Health: Soybeans are a source of healthier, unsaturated
fat, which helps you lower your total cholesterol. This allows you to prevent
conditions like atherosclerosis, which can easily lead to heart attack and
stroke. The fiber in soybeans has actually been shown to reduce cholesterol
levels in the body by scraping excess cholesterol off the walls of blood
vessels and arteries.
Caution: Men can occasionally develop a hormone imbalance if they
consume high amounts of soybeans or soy milk, this can lead to infertility,
sexual dysfunction, lower sperm count.
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