Soy Food – Are soy products safe for men to consume?
The latest research from Harvard University School of Public Health reveals that there is inconclusive evidence regarding the safety of soy product consumption by men. In July 2008, results were released on a study indicating that eating half a serving of soy food a day lowers sperm concentration and may play a role in male infertility, particularly in overweight and obese men. This study and other studies performed on this topic are only in the preliminary stages, and there are no conclusive findings as yet. More studies need to be performed, and for longer durations of time, for any evidence to be deemed conclusive.
On the other hand, most research supports the safety of soy products consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, supplements containing isoflavones, the active compounds in soy, are not recommended for men or for women.
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Sugar alcohols --What are sugar alcohols?
You can identify sugar alcohols in a list of ingredients by the characteristic “ol” at the end of their name, such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and erythritol.
Sugar alcohols are sugar replacers. Their chemical structure resembles both a sugar and an alcohol yet sugar alcohols are not broken down in the human body like either one. They are not completely absorbed in the intestines, so their effect on blood sugar levels is much less than the effect of pure sugars. Sugar alcohols that are passed into the human intestine become food for friendly bacteria that live there, a process called fermentation. The result for someone who has over-consumed sugar alcohol is bloating and intestinal gas. This is why foods that might be consumed in amounts likely to produce such an effect must bear the cautionary statement: “Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.”
Foods with sugar alcohols can be used by persons with diabetes. For those using the carbohydrate counting method, The American Dietetic Association recommends counting one-half of the grams of sugar alcohol as carbohydrates since, on average, only half of the sugar alcohol is digested.
Another advantage to sugar alcohols is that bacteria in the mouth can not utilize them. For this reason, they do not cause tooth decay. Xylitol is often used in sugarless mints and chewing gums because it has been found to inhibit oral bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration authorizes the use of the qualified health claim that sugar alcohols do not promote tooth decay.
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