Soya was the marvellous food when it emerged on the food scene ten years ago. Its health benefits are limitless. It strengthens bones and relieves menopausal symptoms, as well as preventing breast cancer and even cutting down on cholesterol .
Soya, a Far Eastern diet staple, was everywhere.
Nowadays, you can buy soya-rich chocolate and breakfast, soya sausages, soya ice cream as well as yoghurt. You can even purchase a soya milk latte in your high street coffee shops .
Soya products generate £77m a year in the UK alone, with nearly a third of us eating soya-containing foods at least once a week.
While best-sellers include tofu and soya milk, enthusiasts buy increasing amounts of tempeh and edamame, traditional Asian forms of soya, along with soya-based powders and supplements .
Yet there are a number of pressure groups that state that soya is not so beneficial. Soya contains massive quantities of chemicals that are not fully destroyed by a long cooking process. The chemicals include enzyme inhibitors that hamper protein digestion and can hamper the body's use of oxygen.
Soya also contains genistein and daidzein, which mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen. This can have an impact on development and fertility.
Even the Vegetarian Society states that someone trying for a baby should avoid soya products.
