Is Soy Flour Healthy?

Soy bean

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Soy flour, made from ground soybeans, is a food ingredient rich in protein and other essential vitamins and minerals which vary depending on the type of soy flour. This type of flour is available in full-fat, defatted and low-fat versions. Used in numerous types of baking, this flour can be used to make cookies, muffins, breads and other types of baked goods.

Full-Fat Soy Flour Nutrition

Although a cup of full-fat soy flour contains about 17 g of fat, under 3 g comes from saturated fat. This type of soy flour contains approximately 366 calories, 29 g of protein and 8 g of fiber. Full of vitamins and minerals, a cup of full-fat soy flour provides 173 mg calcium, 360 mg of magnesium, 415 mg of phosphorous, 2,113 mg of potassium, 290 mcg of folate, 101 IU of vitamin A, 60 mcg of beta-carotene and 59 mcg of vitamin K.

Defatted Soy Flour Nutrition

Defatted soy flour provides less total fat, but the process also changes the nutrient composition of the product. One cup of defatted soy flour contains about 346 calories, 49 g of protein, 1 g of fat, 18 g of fiber, 253 mg of calcium, 304 mg of magnesium, 708 mg of phosphorus and 2,503 mg of potassium. The vitamin content of this type of soy flour per cup is 320 mcg of folate, 42 IU of vitamin A, 25 mcg of beta-carotene and 59 mcg of vitamin K.

Benefits

Consuming soy products on a regular basis could help lower your level of LDL cholesterol if they are used to substitute for less healthy foods that may be high in cholesterol and saturated fat. The high protein content of soy flour also helps to build and maintain muscle. This product is low in saturated fats which, along with a diet of other healthful foods low in saturated fats, can help you maintain an ideal body weight and may promote heart health.

Considerations

Although the defatted version of soy flour and full-fat soy flour differ in nutritional content, the defatted form of this flour may be more ideal for individuals wishing to lower overall fat intake. All versions of soy flour, however, are low in saturated fat, which is the most dangerous form of fat contained in foods.