So…. About that soy

by Alice Shopland, founder of Angel Food

Soy often sparks debates, especially regarding vegan diets. Some people believe vegans consume excessive amounts of soy, blame soy farming for Amazon deforestation, or raise concerns about its supposed oestrogenic effects. Let’s unpack these misconceptions and set the record straight. 

The Amazon and Soy Farming: The Real Story 

Yes, soy farming significantly drives deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. But here’s the crucial detail: nearly 80 percent of soy is used as feed for farmed animals, such as cows, pigs, and chickens. Only about 7 percent of global soy directly becomes products like tofu, soy milk, or edamame consumed by people. 

Cattle ranching also accounts for around 80 percent of Amazon deforestation. When we consider that 36 percent of the world’s crops are grown to feed farmed animals (and only 55 percent go directly to humans), it’s evident that animal agriculture—not soy consumption by vegans—is the primary issue. 

In the United States for example: over 67 percent of crops are used as animal feed, while only 27 percent go directly to human consumption. This system is grossly inefficient, requiring about 100 calories of grain to produce just 12 calories of chicken or a mere 3 calories of beef. By embracing a plant-based diet, we can significantly reduce the demand for animal feed and the environmental impact of large-scale soy farming. 

Soy and Oestrogen: Busting the Myth 

Another frequent concern about soy is its phytoestrogens—plant compounds resembling human oestrogen. Critics often claim that consuming soy can disrupt hormones, particularly in men. But this fear is unfounded. 

Phytoestrogens are structurally different from human oestrogen and don’t mimic its effects in the body. Numerous studies have confirmed that moderate soy consumption is safe for everyone and even offers health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, improving bone health, and lowering the risk of certain cancers. 

In fact, oestrogen is far more prevalent in cow’s milk than in soy. The hormones naturally present in dairy milk, especially from pregnant cows, are biologically active and can influence human hormone levels. In contrast, phytoestrogens in soy are far weaker and are metabolised differently. 

Soy Allergies and Plant-Based Alternatives 

While some people are allergic to soy, this is no more common than allergies to nuts, dairy, or eggs. And of course, soy isn’t a requirement for a vegan diet—there are plenty of other legumes to enjoy, as well as many other plant-based options like grains, nuts, and seeds. 

The Bigger Picture 

The notion that vegans are causing Amazon deforestation or harming the planet by eating soy doesn’t hold water. Instead, shifting to plant-based diets reduces deforestation, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a more efficient food system. 

If we aim to protect the planet, addressing the inefficiencies of animal agriculture is far more impactful than criticising soy consumption. Choosing plant-based foods not only benefits the environment but also improves human health and reduces animal suffering.  Soy really isn’t the problem—animal agriculture is.