12 Health Risks Of Soy Sauce

By Dipandita Dutta

Monday, July 13, 2015, 15:12 [IST]

Foods that we eat are either useful or harmful for our health and it could be challenging to choose right the food amidst all truths, myths and misperceptions. One such food product, Soy Sauce is perceived to be healthy but it is not in reality.

Soy sauce is by far one of the most popular ingredients used in the culinary world. Soy sauce is a fermented, aged product produced from mixture of soy legumes, salt, brine, roasted wheat grains and Aspergillus fungi.

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Many other food products are manufactured from soya legumes because they are rich in protein. Some of the industrially processed soy products are soya milk, soya nuggets, tofu, soy oil, infant supplements and many more. Despite its diverse use in all International cuisines & Asian cuisines, there are many ways soy sauce effects the health apart from satisfying our taste buds.

Fermented soy sauce contains large amounts of chemical called Isoflavones. These are phytoestrogens and one of the main chemicals that interrupts estrogen secretion and other hormonal activity in human. Because of non-specific nature of estrogen receptor present in human, these phytoestrogens increases the estrogen level, causing health problems in both women & men.

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Let’s be cautious and find out what are the negative effect of soy sauce.

1. Breast cancer risks

Isoflavones present in fermented soy products are proved to act as catalyst for rapid proliferation of cancerous cells in breasts. Interference in normal menstrual cycle are also reported.

2. Effects Thyroid

Fermented soy sauce contains Goitrogens which are type of isoflavones. This chemical can cause hypothyroidism by interfering synthesis of thyroidal hormones. This is a very important note on how soy sauce effects health.

3. Sperm count may get effected

There are researches confirming decreased sperm count with soy product consumption. Excess soy sauce consumption increases level of sex hormone estrogen, creating abnormality in male reproductive health.

4. MSG present in Soy Sauce

While manfuacturing soy sauce, glutamic acid is formed which is highly toxic, effecting neurological function. Extra MSG is also added to enhance the flavor of soy sauce.

5. Obstruction of mineral absorption

Commercial soy sauce contains high amount of phytates which interferes in digestion process by blocking absorption of minerals in the human body.

6. Protein digestion inhibited

Less known fact about the side effects of soy sauce on health is action of trypsin inhibitors in digestive system, causing digestive, abdominal problems & may cause pancreatic problems in future.

7. GM Soy crops creating more health issues

More than ninety percent crops grown worldwide are genetically modified. Soy sauce produced from GM soy legumes costs less but causes health problems like allergies.

8. RBC clotting due to Soy. Don’t be surprised!

Soy products contain Hemagglutinin which makes RBCs clot, causing oxygen deficiency leading to heart attacks & other chronic ailments. This is a very important info while educating people on how soy sauce effects health.

9. High salt content in Soy sauce increases risks of cardiovascular diseases

Huge amount of salt is added at the onset of fermentation while manufacturing Soy sauce. High salt content invariably poses high risk for causing CVD, blood pressure etc. It is one of the health dangers of soya sauce.

10. Soy unsafe during pregnancy

Because of all harmful chemicals present in Soy products, its unsafe to consume soy products including soy sauce during pregnancy as it may hamper in the baby's development.

11. Effects on Kidney

Kidneys are affected by oxalates & phytoestrogens present in soy products. Oxalates cause kidney stones while high content of phytoestrogens might cause kidney failure.