Soybeans contain enzyme inhibitors which block the action of enzymes like trypsin which are needed for protein digestion within the body. Since these enzyme inhibitors are not completely deactivated in the process of normal cooking, they can cause serious gas, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In addition, soybeans contain high amounts of phytates, organic acids that block the uptake of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in the intestinal tract. Luckily, soy products such as tofu, miso and tempeh go through a fermentation process and it is in this process that most of these very enzyme inhibitors and phytates become deactivated. Sadly, this still does not mean that products like tofu, miso and tempeh are nutrient rich, it only means that they are not as bad for our bodies as their unfermented (usually processed) counterparts.
Hmmmmmm. Well, that was the very short, not so scientific explanation of why I'm experiencing these rumbles in my tummy.
That being said, I woke up this morning feeling much, much better...no rumbling, no gas. So, what do you think I did? Yes, of course, I opened up that tube of soy breakfast sausage I had laying in my refrigerator, crumbled it up into a frying pan sprayed with olive oil cooking spray, added some left-over couscous, a bit of baby spinach, some shredded rice cheddar cheese, a splash of hot sauce and, ummmmmmmmm...well...the rest was heavenly bliss. Yumm!
But as you may have guessed, though my taste buds cheered and applauded my breakfast choice, my intestines once again waved their fists at me. I should have known. I did know. Sadly, I'd still say that it was kind of worth it. Have I already mentioned that it was really yummy?
It's 10:30 pm now and the rumbling continues, though to a much lesser degree. It seems to me that my body may be getting used to the soy and the effects seem not to be lingering as long or as intensely as before. Still, I'd like to wean off of it slowly, or at least off of the processed soy products. I went vegan in hopes of living a cleaner, healthier life, not to make myself sick now or in the future.
You see, in my researching the effects of soy, I found some other alarming information. Some say that it could be linked to breast and pancreatic cancers, but don't quote me yet, I still need to look into this more thoroughly. As usual, you find one bit of information and continue on to the next only to find that they totally contradict one another.
I'm starting to feel a little sorry for the soy bean. It really is getting a bad wrap in many of the articles and at this moment in time, it most certainly finds itself at the center of a whole lot of controversy...poor thing.
*sources for information included: www.rheumatic.org/soy.htm, www.thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/19/is-soy-linked-to-breast-cancer/, www.campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/230304/CTM-soy.htm, www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C212360.html
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