Travel Benefits of Soy: Fact or Urban Myth?

I love traveling to third world countries. I've traveled to many parts of China, Southeast Asia and Africa. Each time I travel, I am told by my relatives and family that the first thing I should do to when I arrive in a new country is to look for and consume soy products, so that my body can adjust to local foods. I undoubtedly comply each time, and have never gotten sick. But are soy products really a cure-all for travelers, or an urban myth?

First, I checked the health benefits of soy. Soy carries 8 essential amino acids, fiber, calcium, Omega-3 and B vitamins. Soy also lowers the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, symptoms of menopause and decreases the risks of breast and prostate cancer. In addition, soy contains isoflavones, a plant compound that boosts the immune system. But other products such as lentils, chickpeas, peanuts and green tea also contains isoflavones as well as various other health benefits. Why not consume these products instead of soy?

One reason might be that soy (especially soy flour with full-fat content) contains the most isoflavones compared to other isoflavone products, according to isoflavones.com. In ancient China, soy was considered one of the five holy crops, the other four rice, wheat, barley and millet. The nutritional value of soy and its consumption was and still is accessible to all ranks of society. Traveling through Asia and Africa, I found this to be true as tofu is quite easily accessible; a quick fix to my travel woes. I have never gotten sick each time I consumed soy prior to eating local foods in a foreign country. The key, however, is to consume soy products when you first arrive in a new country, to build up your immune system.

My conclusion: it is a fact that soy's nutritional value helps boost the immune system, but it's always prudent to take health precautions when traveling to a foreign country.

In Shanghai, soy milk is carried by most food vendors for RMB1-2, depending on where you go. Tofu dishes are a staple dish and tofu desserts are available at most restuarants. Happy eating and drinking!