Think Healthy: Think Soybeans
When you think about eating healthily, what foods come to mind? Maybe fruits, vegetables or foods that are high in protein? What if we told you soybeans should make that list? We’ll break down the science behind what makes soybeans and seed oils nutritious choices.
Soybeans are at the center of a hot topic: seed oils. While seed oils are trending, they aren’t new. They have been used for thousands of years. The first seed oils were extracted from sesame seeds as early as 2000-6000 B.C. by hand-operated presses and, later, presses operated by animals. Industrial refining in the early 1900s scaled up production of this tried-and-true ingredient. Today, most vegetable oil you find at the grocery comes from soybeans.
About Soybeans
In Kansas, farmers plant soybean crops in spring and harvest the dried beans in fall. From the field, the soybeans are sent to a crush plant facility. There, the soybeans are broken down into different components:
- Hulls, the outer shell of the soybean used for fiber in livestock diets;
- Soybean meal, a protein-packed ingredient used in livestock feed; and
- Soybean oil, used for baking, frying and more.
No part of the soybean is wasted. Only 20 percent of the bean pod produces oil. The other 80 percent is separated into hulls and soybean meal.
Soybeans are packed with essential fats and protein for your daily diet. Isoflavones found in soybeans can help promote cell health and protect you from diseases like osteoporosis, which weakens your bones.
Benefits of Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid. These fatty acids are essential for the human body and must come from the food we eat. Linoleic acid, one of the two essential fatty acids, lowers cholesterol levels, which is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and all-cause mortality. Because of vegetable oil’s widespread use, Americans get more than 40 percent of their intake of both essential fatty acids from soybean oil. Clinical research shows evidence that soybean oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases, which was backed by the FDA Health Heart Claims, and Type 2 diabetes.
Soybean oil can also help nourish your hair and keep your skin clear. The fatty acids in soybean oil promote hair hydration. Soybean oil is also high in Vitamin E, which is known for its skin-protective properties.
Soybean oil can be used for baking, sautéing, frying, dressing and more, making it one of the most versatile kitchen ingredients. As an affordable, healthy and convenient ingredient, soybean oil is a great oil to reach for in your kitchen.
This article was written by Laci Kirchhoff, an intern with the Kansas Soybean Commission.
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