You likely know that this is a very controversial topic that is often sparking some heated discussion in the nutrition world.

What is soy?

Soy is a legume that can come in minimally forms such tofu, tempeh and edamame, which are safe and even beneficial for PCOS in most cases. Of course, if someone is allergic or has a reaction to soy, they should avoid soy foods. The issue is that soy is also used in more heavily processed foods such as meat substitutes, bars, protein shakes, snacks and other products and the safety and benefit of those foods is unknown.

When looking at populations of people around the world who consume minimally processed soy products, observational studies have shown that soy is actually beneficial and protective against cancer and other health conditions such as inflammation, insulin resistance, fertility, and heart disease- all very relevant for PCOS.

The main benefits of soy come from its component including isoflavones which is a type of plant derived estrogen (AKA phytoestrogen) that cause a weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects. This is beneficial since it can help our body excrete extra estrogen and maintain hormonal balance. I discuss this and other points related to soy and PCOS in this episode. 

Inside you'll find:

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