The Important Uses of Soybean

Lagawe, Ifugao (PIA)- – Do you know that soybean is considered one of the world’s “wonder crops” and has the potential of solving the world’s and our country’s chronic problem of food security, hunger and malnutrition?

Known worldwide due to its health benefits, nutritive value, versatility and as a good source of protein, soybean has long been used not only for animal feed and industries but also served on the plates of many people in various recipes because it is one of the most nutritious foods addressing a number of health concerns from lowering cholesterol, risk of colon and breast cancers to being a great sources of protein offering valuable nutrients.

In the most recent study released by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), it approved health claims that soybean reduces the risk of coronary heart disease saying that amidst all the diet meals and ‘superfoods’ available in the market nowadays, everyday is a challenge to find meals that are healthy enough that will not rack up cholesterol level and filtered down its choices that 25 grams of soy protein as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is good for the heart.

The USDA also said that Soybean is a good source of high quality protein, fiber and omega-3 and is naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated. Daily consumption of soy food may help lower bad cholesterol by about 3% which in tandem with exercise and a balanced diet can lower associated risks of heart attack and stroke.

In the Philippines where as many as 170,000 Filipinos succumbed to coronary heart disease based on 2009 data and 5 out 10 Filipinos died of heart disease in 2012(NSO), many people though are still unaware and appreciative of these facts about soy bean to promote its production and consumption.

But this is expected to change soon as the Department of Agriculture has up its promotion of said product including it as one of the priority commodities under the High Value Crops Development Program.

Recently, the DA sponsored a training on soybean processing in the province where soybean has great potential to be profitably raised for additional income and served on the table of families to address the problem of malnutrition.

The participants who were mostly organic farmers vowed to promote the organic production of soybean as well as consumption with the recipes that can be made from this crop to make it more palatable.

Among the soy food recipes they learned are soymilk, soybean coffee, powdered milk, soyannaise, soybean noodles, soy flour, tofu, soy sauce, taho soy polvoron, soy pastilas, cookies and soy balls. (JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao)