I'm not trying to start a debate or argue. I just remember that one of the Vegetarians on this board is getting married! When the time comes, I want you and yours to be as healthy as possible. Besides this board needs a post! Y'all are just falling down on the job.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/ne...3000/503781.stm
Wednesday, 3 November, 1999, 20:00 GMT 21:00 UK
Soya beans linked to developmental damage

Pregnant women who eat a diet high in soya beans may increase the risk of long-term developmental damage in their children, researchers have found.
Soya beans contain compounds called phytoestrogens or isoflavones, that have been found to mimic the effects of the female sex hormone oestrogen.

These effects may help to prevent a range of conditions including the unpleasant symptoms of the menopause.

But scientists at the Third International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease in Washington DC were told the impact on foetuses and children could be negative.

A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented data from two studies - one on animals and one on humans - to the conference.

Organising tissue development

Dr Claude Hughes, director of the Center for Women's Health at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said sex hormones appeared to play an important role in organising the development of tissues early in life.

He said: "These hormones influence the way the brain is organised, the way the reproductive organs and cells develop, even the way immune function develops.

"Therefore, if mom is eating something or has in her body fat something that can act like sex hormones, it is logical to wonder if that could change the baby's development."

The researchers analysed amniotic fluid samples of 54 pregnant women from the Los Angeles area.

They found that about 80% of the foetuses were exposed to phytoestrogens at levels up to 180 times the norm.

The amniotic fluid samples were taken during routine amniocentesis between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation - after a baby's organs have formed but during a critical stage of development.

The researchers tested the impact of exposure to phytoestrogen by feeding them to pregnant rats at a similar stage of their pregnancy.

'Masculinising' effect

The phytoestrogen had a "masculinising" effect on both the male and female rat foetuses.

Male rat pups also experienced early onset of puberty.

Dr Hughes said the rat experiment was likely to give some indication of the effect of phytoestrogens on human foetuses.

He said: "There is no reason to assume that there will be gross malformations of foetuses but there may be subtle changes, such as neurobehavioral attributes, immune function, and sex hormone levels."

"There are many long-term health questions that come about when the little clocks in our heads are changed. There may be subtle things occurring and we don't know it.

"Or it could be that humans are much more resistant to these effects than are other animals, and this is not an issue. We will not know until we get the data."

I'm not really surprised. As it states, this is about eating a lot of soy products. And as many have stated before: everything in moderation.
Pregnant women need to watch their diets anyway, no alcohol, no smoking, no rare meat etc. And no cleaning the litterbox either or digging in the garden where cats can poo.

And besides


Just because it can be good for 1 thing doesn't mean it's good for everything or everyone.


They've also discovered that a certain ingredient in red wine can help in certain heart diseases... I don't thinking drinking red wine all day will be too good on your liver though! :wink:

I'm not sure. But I think that the ingredient in wine can be gotten from red grape juice and have the same benefits.

If I can find that reference, I'll post it.

Wow, that's pretty scary. The same can probably be said for a lot of things that we put in our mouths daily, like toothpaste or something.

So what if someone likes soybeans and eats them almost daily? The same with brocolli or some other veggie...could there be harmful effects on any other vegetables or what?

KK Kat

Here's an article(not grape juice, but...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/englan...000/2004270.stm

Thursday, 23 May, 2002, 17:19 GMT 18:19 UK

Research says cider 'healthy' drink

Drinking cider may be good for your health, according to research which suggests the drink is rich in antioxidants.
Scientists at Brewing Research International's laboratories in Surrey have found as many antioxidants in cider as red wine.

Antioxidants are thought to help stop cell damage called oxidation, which can contribute to cancer and degenerative diseases like dementia.


Vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene (vitamin A) are all antioxidants.

Red wine and green tea are among foods rich in these compounds.

John Thatcher, of Sandford in Somerset, Chairman of the National Association of Cider Makers, said: "I have spent a lifetime making cider, enjoying a regular glass or two.

"Now I can enjoy it all the more knowing it is helping to keep me healthy."

Dr Caroline Walker, a scientist at Brewing Research International, said: "For those who enjoy a glass of cider it is reassuring to know it may be healthy too.

"But it is important that no-one drinks more than the recommended daily intake of alcohol.

Alcohol-related diseases

Dr Walker's warning was echoed by Bristol Advice and Counselling on Alcohol and Drugs chief executive, Graham Fanti.

"No-one should consider alcohol as a medical product," he told BBC News Online.

"It's risky to think of alcoholic drinks as good for health when you consider 33,000 people a year die from alcohol-related diseases in the UK."

Mr Fanti also highlighted the variations in cider strength and purity.

"People must check the alcohol content of what they are drinking - a rough farm-bought cider can be a lot stronger than one from the big manufacturers.

"Alcohol is a potential poison and must be treated with respect."

Yes like everything in moderation. Soya beans are great foods for the body, it was tested on rats though so I'm not convinced at all about what this article says.