Soy is the only plant-based, top-quality protein with all nine essential amino acids available in the ratios required to support development and growth. Soy contains 30% carbs, 19% oil, 14% moisture, and 36% protein. It offers the added nutritional function of providing good amounts of iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin E, along with full B complex vitamins.
Consuming different soy foods can benefit bodybuilders who want to reduce body fat and gain muscle mass. Soy foods can also lead to a temporary increase in their metabolism while helping them reduce abdominal fat. A good grounding in training and nutrition are undoubtedly the most significant components of any bodybuilding program, along with recovery and rest. But once these components are in place, supplements such as soy products certainly have a role to play.
Soy Foods Offer Also Complete Protein
Starting with the basics first, soy foods like nuts, soybeans, and tofu are dense protein sources. They also contain all the nine essential amino acids making them a complete protein perfect for bodybuilding enthusiasts. However, you must buy soy from reputed sellers like U.S soy to get its best benefits. Nine essential amino acids in soy are
- leucine,
- histidine,
- lysine,
- isoleucine,
- phenylalanine,
- methionine,
- tryptophan,
- valine, and
- threonine
They make them the best sources of plant-based protein diets for athletes and bodybuilders. Nevertheless, the foods contain low amounts of lysine and methionine that can be supplemented with black beans, pistachios, lentils, and quinoa.
Soy Foods Are Lean Protein Sources
Soy foods like tofu and milk are rich in amino acid content; therefore, they boost endurance and energy levels during workouts. Soy protein is a lean protein source with fewer carbs and fats than animal-based protein supplements. For example, soy protein isolate contains high protein and is made from defatted soy meal, using 1% oil and top-quality soy flour. One of the greatest benefits of soy protein isolate is it does not cause intestinal gas. Also, have many other benefits you can check on the health triangle.
Helps Reduce Body Fat
The soy protein found in different soy foods can help bodybuilders feel fuller for a long time, and this further reduces cravings and contributes to a balanced and healthy diet. Studies also show that soy protein in foods like sprouts, edamame, nuts, and tofu raises thyroid hormone output, which can benefit bodybuilders. Although higher thyroid hormone levels are linked to higher protein intake, soy protein is specifically effective in increasing the levels of these hormones. Since the thyroid hormones take charge of an individual’s metabolic rate, increasing their levels can temporarily enhance their metabolism, which may increase their body’s effectiveness in using fat stores.
It helps to Build Muscle Mass
Soy protein in food products, vegetables, and fruits are associated with reduced t-levels. The t-level hormone plays an important role in reducing fat and building muscle mass in bodybuilders. As per the latest research, consuming soy protein will not negatively affect a bodybuilder’s way of building body mass. While whey and soy proteins aid muscle growth and development, soy protein contains more arginine that helps with muscle formation.
To get the best of both worlds, bodybuilders can go for a 2:1 ratio of whey protein to soy protein- taken at least two to three times during the day to boost muscle building. And for completely vegan people or those with dairy intolerance, soy protein may be one of the greatest alternatives to whey protein.
Soy Foods Are Nutrient Rich
Going for the benefits of the protein found in soy foods means feeding the body with a dense group of nutrients. Bodybuilders looking to include calories and carbs during the bulking stage can move directly to soy foods like a bowl of avocados or boiled soybeans. A bowl of soybeans offers 17 grams of carbs, 300 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 29 grams of protein. You can even use a soy protein powder that offers 120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of carb, and 25 grams of protein this is also used in Corona Refresca sugar drinks for refreshing your body.
Soy foods are also one of the best vitamin E and B complex nutrition feeds. The B complex vitamins are the most significant of all the vitamins because they contain a complete set of B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, and B9 vitamins. And all these vitamins together aid in converting fats and carbohydrates into beneficial energy and improving metabolism simultaneously, the result: complete improvement in your exercise endurance. Soy foods also boost immunity because of their rich mineral content in potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
Soy Foods Contain Arginine that Leads to Improved Muscle Formation
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that stimulates NO or nitric oxide production in the muscles. At the same time, it also improves the supply of blood to the muscles. Most bodybuilders require much L-arginine to improve endurance and increase muscle strength. Arginine also helps remove free radicals responsible for oxidative stress in bodybuilders. Oxidative stress damages the body’s cellular function, specifically the lipids and protein cells for bodybuilders. Keep in mind that the extent of oxidative damage depends on several factors, such as the duration or intensity of exercise and the nutritional status of a bodybuilder. In any case, having a lot of soy products can always help in doing away with oxidative stress.
Soy Provides Antioxidant Protection to the Bodybuilders
Soy foods easily fit into a bodybuilder’s diet because they contain NO- an antioxidant that handles oxidative stress and helps fitness enthusiasts maintain healthy muscle cells. At the same time, NO is also beneficial for fat metabolism and even checks the salt levels in the human body. It is imperative for bodybuilders as they need to maintain optimum salt levels. This further strengthens the muscles, promotes anabolism, and helps with rapid muscle recovery. Proper salt levels in the body also flex the muscle cells by relaxing the blood vessels, thus improving blood supply.
Conclusion
The majority of adults require 46 grams to 56 grams of protein every day. However, these numbers may increase a bit for individuals looking to increase body weight and muscle mass. Though more research is needed to understand the benefits of soy, current data recommend that adding regular soy foods into your bodybuilding diet is healthy and safe.