Lecithin and isoflavones

The dietary fiber contained in soybean products absorbs bile acid secreted from the liver and expels this together with stool. Bile acid is created from cholesterol and is secreted into the duodenum where it helps to break down fat. However, once this bile acid has served its purpose, it is re-absorbed and returned to the liver where it is reconstituted into cholesterol. When bile acid is absorbed by dietary fiber and expelled from the body, the level of cholesterol in the liver decreases accordingly. Consequently, cholesterol in the blood is drawn to the liver and levels of LDL are reduced.

Furthermore, the lecithin abundant in soybean products is the principal constituent of HDL, and is also known to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Soybean products are rich in isoflavones which act in a similar way to female hormones. Although these isoflavones exist in the form of genistein and daidzein, these elements have been confirmed to eliminate oxygen radicals.

For these reasons, soybean products are expected to provide protection against arterial sclerosis.

Although the amount of dietary fiber in one portion of tofu (0.5-Cho (150g)) is less than 1g, tofu is frequently eaten with other foods that are comparatively high in fiber. With attributes such as lecithin to reduce cholesterol and isoflavones to eliminate oxygen radicals while also having low fat, tofu is ideal for the prevention of arterial sclerosis.