Soy – An Aphrodisiac for Men

The association of food and sex goes back to the earliest times of human evolution. In times when food was not as readily available as now, nutrition was a prime concern among young people fit for breeding. In order to fulfill many of the nutritional requirements necessary for fertility, some foods were advocated more than other and began to be known as aphrodisiacs. Soy is one such food which has been used for ages in certain parts of the world for its nutritional and invigorating properties.

What is soy

This is a species of legume native to East Asia. Botanically known as Glycine max, the plant is classed as an oilseed rather than a pulse. The seeds of soy plant are known as soybeans and are rich in a large variety of nutrients.

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Using Soy used as an aphrodisiac

The key to soy’s aphrodisiacal powers for men lie perhaps in the soybean’s ability to promote prostate health. This is because soybeans are rich in a type of flavonoids called Isoflavones. The major isoflavones in soya are genistein, daidzein and glycetin which are mainly found in the form of glycosides. Studies have shown that the isoflavones in soy may be effective in preventing prostate cancer besides aiding the healthy functioning of the prostate. This is a vital gland among men which tends to get enlarged among middle-aged and elderly males leading to urinary problems and even impotence since an enlarged prostate restricts blood flow in the penis. Soy’s ability to protect the prostate from enlargement and cancerous growth ensures that blood flow remains unimpeded, thus leading to healthy urinary function and normal sexual performance.

Soybeans are packed with proteins and contain all the essential amino acids. This is important for men who want to build muscle mass to enhance their sexual appeal. More importantly protein has been shown to naturally boost levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals in the brain that heighten sensitivity during sex. Again amino acids like arginine are necessary for sperm production and sperm mobility. However the best part of using soy protein is that unlike animal protein like beef, it is healthy for the heart. Soy foods have in fact been proven to reduce cardiovascular disorders by lowering total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides as well as by supplying omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are believed to be essential for a healthy heart. The heart is the main organ pumping oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body including the genitals and this makes a healthy heart crucial to enjoyable sex.

Soybeans are rich source of several vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy sex life. Soy is particularly loaded with vitamins B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E which are necessary for the optimum functioning of sex hormones in the body. Among the minerals found in significant amounts in soy are calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Among these, zinc and selenium are particularly beneficial for boosting the male libido and enhancing sexual performance in men. While zinc increases testosterone production and semen volume, selenium aids sperm mobility and motility. Nearly 50% of all selenium in a man is found in the testes and seminal ducts. This makes intake of adequate selenium important for healthy sex life.

Finally soy is one of the best natural sources of dietary fiber. Fiber should be made part of daily diet to keep the body weight within normal limits. One of the major causes of male impotence among industrialized societies is obesity which not only makes men sexually unattractive and sexual performance difficult but plays a major role in male infertility and decline of overall health. Intake of dietary fiber in the form of soy-based products together with cutting down on fats can lead to prevention of obesity and all-around health.

Using Soy

Soy is one of the most versatile natural foods. Soybeans can be used in their natural form or ground with water and the strained to extract soy milk.  A number of products like tofu or soymilk cheese and tofu skin or yuba are made from the soymilk. Fermented foods from soybean include shoyu or soy sauce, miso, natto, tempeh and Ketjap which are mostly used in traditional East Asian cuisines. For nutritional purposes, immature soybeans may be boiled whole in their green pods and served with salt. Known by the Japanese term edamame, this dish is being popularized as a healthy snack alternative in many fitness and healthy living magazines.

Besides these, soybeans may be processed to produce soy meal, soy flour, soy lecithin, soybean oil and Textured Vegetable Protein which is used as a meat substitute in a variety of vegetarian dishes.

Since soymilk is lactose-free, it is especially useful for people who suffer from lactose intolerance. These days even Soy-based infant formula is available for infants who are allergic to cow milk proteins. It is sold in powdered, ready-to-feed, and concentrated liquid forms.

Side effects of using soy

Consumed in right amounts, soy is generally safe but can cause some mild side effects such as constipation, bloating, and nausea. Soy is one of the eight foods which are listed as the most common causes of allergic reactions, the others being eggs, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, milk and tree nuts. Those allergic to the protein compounds in soy may develop hives and swelling within two hours of consuming soy product. Only in rare cases, severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis is noted. Use of soy can also trigger food intolerance which may not be accompanied by allergic reaction but which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Infants intolerant to soy-based formula may sometimes show these symptoms together with anemia, weight loss and failure to thrive.

Because of the presence of estrogen-like compounds in soy, it should be avoided by women suffering from breast cancers and by anyone else with hormone-dependant cancers. For the same reason soy should be used with caution in infants and children in whom early exposure to estrogenic compounds may create hormonal imbalance.

Certain medications for depression, cancer as well as antibiotics and blood-thinning drugs may interact with soy. thus people taking such drugs should seek the opinion of their healthcare provider on whether and how much soy to consume.

In recent years, there has been much review of the beneficial effects of soy on the cardiovascular, reproductive and sexual health in humans. While researchers and physicians are much more circumspect about the healing properties of soy than they were in the mid-1990s, the fact that it remains one of the few nutritionally rich foods of plant origin is good news for men wishing to be physically and sexually healthy.