According to the Mayo Clinic, soy is a subtropical plant that has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. Soy has been used as a substitute for meat, as a protein supplement, and as female hormone stimulant. That being said, there are some conflicting reports that believe soy to be a lot more dangerous than it is beneficial. Both sides of the argument require further study before a clear outcome is indeed reached.
Baby Development
The advent of soy-based baby formulas has caused those against the consumption of soy to call the formula "birth control pills for babies." Soy contains compounds called phytoestrogens which act like the hormone estrogen. Studies conducted on rats by Dr. Claude Harris showed delayed puberty in developing males which may predict similar causes in humans.
Similar results in a study of vegetarian mothers (who tend to consume more soy) suggest that these phytoestrogens may cause altered development. If this is the case, it would be especially problematic if it affects the "testosterone surge" that typically occurs in males in the first few months of development, which sets in motion the male characteristics that will be expressed mentally and physically after puberty.
Thyroid Problems
Foods that are considered to suppress the activity of your thyroid are known as goitrogenic foods. These foods limit your thyroid's ability to process iodine, which is necessary for it to function properly. According to two Italian studies by Drs. Romboli and Avanzi, soy is one of the most powerful goitrogenic foods and if you are have an overactive or underactive thyroid, soy may majorly effect your hormone levels. This can lead to weight gain, irregular body temperature, and problems with concentration.
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens in food are not just a problem for infants, as an imbalance in hormones can lead to problems at any age. An overabundance of estrogen in females may lead to breast cancer, uterine fibroids and infertility. In males, too much estrogen can lead to impotence, fatigue and a development of female characteristics. These problems may only occur if the amount of soy is excessive, but for vegetarians or other people who consume soy as one of their primary foods, these consequences may ensue.
Digestion Problems
Soy contains compounds that block the digestive chemical trypsin, which is used to digest proteins in the stomach. Too much soy intake may lead to an inability to properly digest proteins. This could lead to an upset stomach and problems with the pancreas. Soy loses this anti-digestive property when it has been fermented, as some soy products--miso, tempeh, and natto--have been.
Vitamin and Mineral Intake
Soy is believed to increase the body's need to take in certain vitamins, including vitamins B12 and D. A 1982 study on the infants of black Hebrews showed that infants who were given a diluted soy milk intake were vitamin B12 deficient and that their parents were extremely vitamin B12 anemic. According to blogger Food Renegade, soy contains phytates, which inhibit certain enzymes that allow the body to break down minerals in the body. Minerals that this problem includes are: calcium, copper, magnesium and iron. If these minerals cannot be properly broken down, problems related to mineral deficiency--like stunted growth--might occur.
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