Does Soy Protein Increase Estrogen Levels? | Livestrong.com

Soy protein-containing foods like tofu, textured vegetable protein and edamame do not significantly increase estrogen levels. Image Credit: sveta_zarzamora/iStock/GettyImages Soy is a top source of protein and a useful and versatile component of a healthy plant-based diet. However, reports about the effects of soy on hormones make some people wary about eating it. Fortunately, based on up-to-date research, most experts agree that soy is safe. Advertisement Tip Soy protein-containing foods, like tofu, textured vegetable protein and edamame, do not significantly increase estrogen levels in people of any sex. Soy may have mild, beneficial anti-estrogenic or estrogenic effects, depending on your time of life. Video of the Day Soy and Hormones As explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), soy-based foods are the biggest dietary suppliers of isoflavones, which when consumed and metabolized have the potential to act as phytoestrogens, a class of compounds with weak est...