Soy: Nutritious Power Food

Soy is an important part of a heart-healthy diet (it's even on Cleveland Clinic's list of top 40 power foods). Get our complete guide to including this heart-healthy food in your day.

By Stephanie Karpinske, M.S., R.D.

The Cleveland Clinic, one of the top heart hospitals in the United States, includes soy on its list of the 40 most powerful foods for heart health.

"Soybeans are very heart-healthy," says Julia Zumpano, R.D., at the Cleveland Clinic. According to Zumpano, soy is:
- a great source of protein
- a good source of omega-3 fatty acids
- low in saturated fat
- virtually cholesterol-free in its natural form
- a good source of additional fiber, especially soluble fiber, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration believes soy's heart benefits are so strong that it allows a health claim on labels that states "25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

Learn how to shop for soy products and get great recipes.