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Health and Benefits
The Japanese have a wide variety of foods to choose from that have been approved by their health regulatory officials. Instead of using the term "functional foods", the Japanese coined the term FOSHU or foods for specific health use. Since this system was put into place in 1993, over 800 foods have been approved, and therefore can carry the FOSHU label.
The Japanese system is based on a list of approved foods and ingredients that the Japanese Department of Health feels have enough scientific evidence to support health claims. If a company can show that its food product contains one of these approved foods / ingredients, then it can carry the FOSHU label. So, in Japan it is not necessary to provide evidence that wheat bran, for example, has health benefits. You only have to show that wheat bran is in your product.
Foods or ingredients that are eligible for FOSHU designation can be classified into the familiar categories of carbohydrates, proteins, mineral etc. Carbohydrates are by far the largest group of foods or ingredients.
The table below provides examples of FOSHU approved soy-food products and examples of allowable labeling claims.
| FOSHU Products; areas of use | Ingredient | Permitted displayed contents |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks, soybean milk, prepared soymilk | Soybean isoflavone | The Isoflavone of soybeans is useful for maintenance of calcium of bone. |
| Table sugar, Soft drinks | Soybean Oligosaccharide | Lactobacillus bijidus is increased and the environment in the gut is kept well, so these items suit persons concerned with the condition of the stomach. |
| Soups, Fermented soybean milk, prepared soybean milk, Sausage, Hamburger Steak, Meatball, Soft drinks | Soybean proteins | These items are made from the protein of soybeans which makes serum cholesterol fall, and are devised so that it may be easy to take. These foods suitable for persons with high cholesterol and seeking improved eating habits. |
Soybeans and Health
Extensive literature exists which attests to the potential health benefits of soybean in the diet. Some examples include;
- Cancer
Soybeans show an exciting ability to reduce the risk of various types of cancers. Soybeans contain Genistein and daidzein hormones that are known to have weak estrogenic effects that help healing process. Thus people who consume appreciable levels of beans show lower incidence of breast, prostate, skin and colon cancers. - Heart diseases and blood pressure
Soybeans are known to reduce serum concentration of tryglycerides and LDL (low density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol. This in turn decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. - Menopause
Deficiency of estrogen that begins among women around the age of 50 may cause various health problems. Genistein supplements or consumption of soybean-rich diet are safest ways to treat such problems. - Diabetes, renal diseases and obesity
Soybean is the only legume that has more protein than starch. It is also high in soluble fiber. Such fiber is highly fermentable in human body and slows down the absorption of sugars. Since soybean diet also reduces serum LDL cholesterol, it helps prevent kidney damage. These characteristics make soybeans one of the most ideal foods for individuals who need to reduce their intake of simple carbohydrates. Soy-foods have low glycemic indices that slow the rate of release of sugars into the blood stream. These foods also help weight control. - Bone loss
Osteoporosis or bone loss may result because of low calcium diets. Consumption of soybeans enhances the hormone genistein that prevents or even reverses low bone density.