Soy is an important source of phytoestrogens, which could be endocrine disruptors and promote certain cancers, or even act on the fetus, young child or fertility.
At a time when vegetarian and flexitarian diets are becoming more and more popular, soy products are a sought-after alternative to meat. Yet theUFC-What to choose contacted ANSES and the DGCCRF to strengthen safety and information on food products containing them.
Close to a natural hormone of the human body
“Soy is also an important source of phytoestrogens (called isoflavones in the case of soy). These substances whose molecular structure is close to a natural hormone of the human body, could be endocrine disruptors and promote certain cancers, or even act on the fetus, the young child or fertility”, indicates the consumer protection association.
According to a study of 1,020 respondents by Sojaxa, an association bringing together the main soy food manufacturers in France, 6 out of 10 French people said they had consumed soy products in 2017. An increase of 49% in three years. . 71% of us buy it at least once a month.
Consume no more than one soy product per day
UFC-Que Choisir measured the doses of phytoestrogens in 55 common soy-based foods (prepared meals, biscuits, desserts, drinks, appetizers and sauces) in order to calculate consumer exposure in relation to the values deemed to be tolerable by the ‘HANDLES.
Conclusion: “the products with the worst ratings in our test greatly exceed the maximum admissible doses. A glass of the soy drink “Sud-Ouest nature” from the Cereal Bio brand alone provides nearly 150% of the maximum dose. admissible for an adult, when a portion of Jardin Bio’s “gourmet soy protein couscous” exceeds three and a half times this dose”, reports the association.
On this basis, it seems prudent not to consume more than one soy product per day. ANSES also recommends avoiding the consumption of soy products for pregnant women and children under three years of age.
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