Is soy bad for male athletes?

Soy contains phytoestrogens, sometimes called plant estrogen, and if that increases the estrogen in your body then it might make your breasts bigger, increase your body fat, make it harder to build muscle, and among men in particular there’s a fear that it’s linked to impotence and low sperm count.

Is soy bad for your testosterone?

Some research shows that regularly eating soy products like edamame, tofu, soy milk, and miso may cause a drop in testosterone levels. For example, one study in 35 men found that drinking soy protein isolate for 54 days resulted in decreased testosterone levels ( 3 ).

Is soy good for building muscle?

Soy protein is a complete source of protein. It may aid muscle building but not as well as whey protein. Overall, soy is safe for most people and may offer health benefits, including weight loss.

Is soy protein bad bodybuilding?

Soy has many potential benefits, but the one considerable drawback is its lower biological value compared to other proteins. Unfortunately, if a bodybuilder starts to replace too much of the other high quality proteins in their diet with soy, they run the risk of losing muscle due to this lower-quality protein.

What are the dangers of soy for men?

The dangers of soy for men are a result of the high levels of the female hormone estrogen that soy and soy-based products contain. Primarily, soy affects the quality and concentration of a male’s sperm, especially if taken in large quantities or if the subject was exposed to high levels in the womb.

Should men avoid soy?

Soy milk contains isoflavones which provide many of the benefits of soy products. Isoflavones , according to the American Cancer Society, can have weak estrogen-like activity, which is the basis for why some men avoid soy milk. The exact amount of nutrients in soy milk depends on the brand and if the milk is fortified.

What effect does soy have on men?

The debate centers around the fact that soy protein contains isoflavones which are known to have an estrogen-like effect on the body. Also known as phytoestrogens, these compounds are implicated in the claims that soy products result in testosterone levels falling among men that consume them.

Why is soy bad for males?

A form of soybean oil, however, contains trans fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Because soy has estrogenic effects, some researchers have expressed concern about the effects of high soy intake on male hormones. Men do naturally produce estrogen, although not in the same quantities as women.