About Soy

Soy milk and other soy foods may seem new to many Americans, but for almost 3,000 years, the beans of the bushy, green soy bean plant have been a part of human history and diet, particularly in Asian countries.

The soy bean's historic staying power is the natural result of the high-quality protein and other important phytonutrients found in this plant. Soy protein is considered nutritionally equivalent to the protein found in animal foods due to its unique amino acid content.

In fact, U.S. manufacturers have developed literally thousands of new foods that use soy milk, soy protein, soy flour and tofu in response to recent science into soy's health benefits and the resulting clamor from consumers for easy-to-prepare meals.

There are literally hundreds of way to incorporate the health benefits of soy into a healthy diet and lifestyle. Learn more about the food uses and nonfood uses of soy beans.

Glossary of soy terms

Soy Fact

The soy bean is a legume related to clover, peas and alfalfa.

American Soybean Association