Youngsters are being encouraged to add a generous helping of a specific bean to their meals in an effort to ward off various types of cancer.
In a chat with Dr Rupy Aujla on his podcast, The Doctor’s Kitchen, lifestyle medicine expert Dr Nitu Bajekal shared insights into nutrition, focusing on anti-inflammatory diets for those suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome.
However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the nutrition guru began praising soy, or “the magic bean”, which she recommended everyone, especially the younger generation, to include in their diet.
Despite the “poor little bean” often being at the centre of controversy in nutritional debates, Dr Bajekal insisted: “It has fibre, protein, lots of micronutrients it also has plant estrogens.”
“These smart beans have plant estrogens that block the excess mammalian estrogens coming from our body fat, dairy and red meat. They promote bone growth, reduce your risk of osteoporosis, lessen hot flashes, aid weight loss, and protect the heart.[“
The specialist pointed out that this “blocking effect” is why soy can significantly lower the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and a host of other cancers.
The expert, Dr Bajekal, has highlighted the considerable health benefits associated with soy consumption: “We know that those who consume soy earlier in childhood and in early adulthood have a 25% reduction in aggressive prostate cancer.
“It also reduces colon cancer, ovarian cancer, womb cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer,” due to its ability to inhibit the development of vessels that fuel cancers.
Nevertheless, Dr Bajekal provided a critical warning for individuals with thyroid issues, stating emphatically: “If you have a thyroid problem I want you to have at least two hours between taking your (medicine) and your soy milk or tofu because it can compete for the same receptors.”
Additionally, Dr Bajekal recommends a daily intake of two to four servings of soy products, emphasizing their positive attributes by declaring: “Don’t demonise soy, you should celebrate soy because it has plant estrogens.”