Tofu also referred to as bean curd, is a food obtained by coagulation of soy milk and pressing the resulting curds into white blocks. There are many different types of tofu products but we can put them into two major categories: fresh tofu, which is produced from soy milk and processed tofu, which is produced from fresh tofu.
Over the past few years, Americans have replaced meat and eggs with tofu, believing that this helps them improve their diet. However, it turns out that tofu is not as a healthy replacement for grass-fed meat, organic eggs or raw dairy products.
As a matter of fact, tofu is nothing but a product of soy industry which is loaded with detrimental substances. The reason behind this is that high-tech processing methods which are used in western countries not only fail to remove the anti-nutrients and toxins which are naturally present in soybeans, but they also leave toxic and carcinogenic residues created by the high temperatures, high pressure, petroleum solvents, and alkali and acid baths.
HEALTH ISSUES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY SOY PRODUCTS:
- Weight gain, malaise, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido
- Developmental problems in babies, children, and adolescents
- Soy allergies
- Brain damage
- Reproductive disorders
- Cancer
In addition to this, it has been scientifically shown that soy raises the homocysteine levels in many people, a non-protein acid which increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and birth defects. Babies and children are especially susceptible to soy`s hormone-mimicking effects. According to a Lancet study, the daily exposure to estrogen-imitating chemicals for infants who consume soy formulas was 6-11 times higher when compared to adults who eat soy foods. In other words, infants fed with an average amount of soy formula receive estrogenic equivalent of 5 birth control pills (based on body weight). Therefore, even though it is up to you as a parent, it is recommended to avoid feeding your children with soy infant formula or other soy foods.
ADDITIONAL (SCARY) FACTS ABOUT SOYBEANS
- Soybeans are full of natural toxins, also known as antinutrients, such as a large amount of inhibitors that deter enzymes needed for digestion of proteins. This results in gastric disease and chronic amino acids deficiencies, which can lead to dangerous pancreatic impairments and even cancer.
- Soybeans contain hemagglutinins, which cause red blood cells to clump together.
- Soy also contains goitrogens, which can cause decreased thyroid function.
- Most than 80% of soybeans are genetically modified and contain the highest levels of pesticide contamination of all foods.
- Soybeans are high in phytates, which prevent the absorption of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
IS THERE A SAFE TYPE OF SOY?
Luckily, there are a few healthy types of soy, all of which are fermented. Consider the following options:
- Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis (powerful beneficial bacteria). It is full of nattokinase, a very good blood thinner. It is also a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, iron, and dietary fiber.
- Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian soy product which is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form. It contains many vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B2, B3, and B6, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium, and manganese.
- Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning obtained from fermented soybeans with salt and the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. It is a good source of vitamins B2, B6, and K and it is also rich in sodium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.
DON’T FORGET!
All processed soy products such as soy milk, soy burgers, soy cheese, soy energy bars, soy ice cream, soy protein powders are not health foods.
Sources:
http://livingtraditionally.com/whats-so-bad-about-tofu-1/
http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/this-healthy-food-can-cause-brain-damage-and-breast-cancer-you-should-stop-eating-it-immediately/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/24/why-tofu-wrecks-your-brain.aspx
https://authoritynutrition.com/is-soy-bad-for-you-or-good/