Why do we use soybeans?
Soy beans have tons of different uses, including for soap, clothing, biodiesel fuel, and food.When consumed by humans, soybeans provide more protein than lean meat, without the harmful cholesterol. Whole, non-GMO soybeans are a high-quality plant protein, according to its PDCAAS (protein digestibility corrected amino acid score). Soybeans come in at 0.9 2-1.0, with 1.00 being the highest score that is possible. They are acomplete protein including all 9 amino acids needed for the body to optimize its intake.On top of that, soybeans are high in fiber and many essential minerals.
It should come as no surprise then that we chose to use whole, non-GMO soybeans as the base ingredient for our jerky and bacony bits. But soybeans offer many more benefits than just high protein content.
What foods contain soybeans?
Most often, when we consume soy, it isn’t in the form of the bean itself. Soybeans are used for many different consumables, including:
Soy milk
Tofu
Tempeh
Edamame
Soy sprouts
Miso
Soy sauce
Soy sausages/burgers
Soy cheese
Soy ice cream/yogurt
Our jerky and bacony bits!
Why do we use soybeans?
There are many rumors about soy, like that it contains estrogen, which is false and has been debunked repeatedly.The reality is that soy beans have tons of fantastic benefits and enable us to achieve the delicious flavor profiles of our vegan jerky and bacony bits. Here are a few of the reasons that we use soybeans:
1. Versatility
Soybeans are an incredibly versatile ingredient. On their own, soybeans don’t have much taste, which allows them to take on the flavors of whatever you choose to season them with. You can use them for both savory recipes or sweet recipes, from burgers and edamame to sweet soy yogurt and ice cream.
Soybeans are often used in meat replacements because, when correctly processed, they take on a texture very similar to that of meat. And with the right seasonings, you might not even be able to tell the difference!
2. Nutritional benefits
Whole, non-GMO soybeans are packed with nutrition and one of the best sources of plant-based protein. They are high in fiber, promoting a healthy digestive system, controlling blood sugar levels, and lowering cholesterol. They also have a large amount of digestive protein, as mentioned above, which is essential to build and repair tissue, give your body energy, and help fight off infection.
Soybeans are a great source of iron. One cup of soybeans contains 49% of your RDI (recommended daily intake). Iron is necessary for the optimal function of hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen in the blood, but it also regulates body temperature and supports the immune system.
Additionally, soybeans contain a long list of nutrients like potassium, vitamin K, vitamin B2, manganese, phosphorus, copper, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, folate, thiamine, and molybdenum.
A half-cup of soybeans contains about 54mg of magnesium, giving them some of the highest magnesium concentrations of any food source. Magnesium is essential for bone health, cardiovascular health and even helps lower stress and anxiety.
3. Health benefits
Over 93 million Americans over the age of 20 have high cholesterol. Coronary heart disease, a result of high cholesterol, accounts for more deaths than any other disease. The FDA found that those who eat around four servings of soy per day as part of a diet low in saturated fats can hugely reduce the risk of CHD along with cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Many studies suggest soy beans can help prevent various forms of cancer. Research from the American Institute for Cancer Research indicates that the protein and antioxidants in whole, non-GMO soybeans can prevent cancerous tumor cells from growing. The isoflavones in soybeans may also decrease the risk of lung cancer.
Soy beans are high in dietary fiber, which helps prevent excess weight gain and obesity. Excess body fat contributes to 12 different forms of cancer, so including soy as part of your diet can help reduce your risks.
Additionally, soy can lower blood pressure, improve cognitive function and prevent diabetes by helping to maintain balanced blood sugar levels.
Using soybeans in our products
We use only whole, non-GMO soybeans as the base for our vegan jerky, and vegan bacony bits, meaning you’ll get the full range of benefits mentioned here each time you choose one of our products. Not only are our soy products a healthy addition to your diet, but they also taste delicious, both on their own or as part of lots of yummy recipes.
