Is the soy heart health claim based on a meta-analysis that has since been disproven?
No, FDA conducted thorough scientific analysis of 27 separate studies during 1995-1999 that found soy protein decreased blood cholesterol about an average 3-6% and provided the justification for a health claim. The latest research on soy protein and blood cholesterol continues to confirm the FDA’s decision to approve the health claim for soy and heart disease. For example, a recent review of the original studies used to infor m FDA’s decision and of studies conducted since, led by well-known cardiologist Cesare Sirtori, confirmed that the cholesterol-lowering effect held up even when baseline levels of cholesterol were taken into account. Another recent meta-analysis found that soy protein significantly decreases total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increases HDL cholesterol. In a recent clinical trial, women with metabolic syndrome who ate soyfoods were able to decrease their LDL cholesterol levels by 5-10%. (8 -16) Learn more about soy and cholesterol.
