Soy isoflavones, the 'fountain of youth' in the form of delicious foods

Soy foods could be called "magic" foods because they contain isoflavones, chemicals which slow the aging process. These chemicals are present in chickpeas as well, but in a much lower quantity, therefore eating soy or taking soy isoflavone supplements are your only options for ingesting these youth giving chemicals.

The two most prevalent isoflavones in soy are genistein and daidzein, and they've been proven to help in an impressive number of ways.

When consumed, soy isoflavones decrease the number of free radicals in your body, and as you may know it is these free radicals that are constantly damaging and aging the cells of our body, one cell at a time. It is this "antioxidant" effect of foods made from soy which appeals to almost everyone.

Isoflavones have also been shown to have anticancer effects in the majority of cancer studies involving animals. Genistein in particular inhibits the creation of blood vessels which would feed tumors, and the two isoflavones together seem to be linked to a reduction in the risk for the hormone related cancers of the breast and prostate.

Soy isoflavones have been shown to prevent osteoporosis by strengthening bones. In addition, they appear to reduce the number of hot flashes in menopausal women, and to stabilize hormone levels in premenopausal women.

And the good news is everyone can get some of these isoflavones in soy beans, soy nuts, soy milk, tofu, soy protein powders, soy isoflavone supplements, soy shakes, soy protein bars, and so much more.