Soy protein products can be good substitutes for animal products because, unlike some other beans, soy offers a "complete" protein profile. Soybeans contain all the amino acids essential to human nutrition, which must be supplied in diet because they cannot be synthesized by human body. Soy protein products can replace animal-based foods--which also have complete proteins but tend to contain more fat, especially saturated fat--without requiring major adjustments elsewhere in the diet.

To qualify for the health claim, foods must contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving and fit other criteria, such as being low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The claim is similar to others the agency has approved in recent years to indicate heart benefits, including claims for the cholesterol-lowering effects of soluble fiber in oat bran and psyllium seeds.

FDA determined that diets with four daily soy servings can reduce levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), the so-called "bad cholesterol" that builds up in blood vessels, by as much as 10 percent. This number is significant because heart experts generally agree that a 1 percent drop in total cholesterol can equal a 2 percent drop in heart disease risk. Heart disease kills more Americans than any other illness. Disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke, cause nearly 1 million deaths yearly.

Beyond its low-fat, low-cholesterol and high-fiber characteristics, clinical research indicates that regular consumption of soy protein may support better help. Soy protein contains phytochemicals, such as isoflavones, that can help keep cells healthier by acting as antioxidants. It also contains chains of amino acids, or peptides. According to one major study, The Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Soy Protein Intake on Serum Lipids by Dr. James Anderson, consistent soy protein consumption is directly linked with lowering levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides.

Soy protein can also act as a substitute for peanut proteins for those children and adults who suffer from peanut allergies. According to Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, one in every 200 children and thousands of adults suffer from peanut allergies.

As also for weight management, overweight and obesity are the number one nutritional problems in the United States. A reduced tendency to burn fat for energy is a major risk factor for weight gain. Increased insulin production promotes fat storage in your body, whereas production of the hormone glucagon enhances your body's use of fat for energy. How might soy play a role? Soybeans have a low GI, meaning that they cause a very small increase in glucose, which limits insulin production. And, compared to animal protein, isolated soy protein has been shown to provoke a greater release of glucagon