Americans today spend upwards of $4 billion yearly on soy food products. Although the versatile soybean provides many health benefits, some 90 percent of the U.S. crop is grown using genetically modified seeds, engineered to withstand repeated dousing with Monsanto's herbicide, glyphosate (popularly known as RoundUp). (Media credit/Timothy Valentine via Flickr)

Food products made with soy have enjoyed great popularity in the U.S. and elsewhere in recent years. Two decades ago, Americans spent $300 million a year on soy food products; today we spend over $4 billion. More and more adults are substituting soy—a great source of protein—for meat, while a quarter of all baby formula contains soy instead of milk. Many school lunch programs nationwide have added soy-based veggie burgers to their menus, as have countless restaurants, including diners and fast food chains.

And there are hundreds of other edible uses of the legume, which now vies with corn for the title of America’s most popular agricultural crop. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration promotes the inclusion of soy into other foods to cut down on heart attack risk. Clinical studies have shown that soy can also lower the risk for certain types of breast and prostate cancer.

But there may be a dark side to soy’s popularity and abundance. “Many of soy’s health benefits have been linked to isoflavones—plant compounds that mimic estrogen,” reports Lindsey Konkel in Environmental Health News. “But animal studies suggest that eating large amounts of those estrogenic compounds might reduce fertility in women, trigger premature puberty and disrupt development of fetuses and children.” But before you dump out all your soy foods, note that the operative phrase here is “large amounts” which, in laboratory science, can mean amounts substantially above what one would consume in real life.

Also at issue is that upwards of 90 percent of the U.S. soybean crop is grown using genetically modified (GM) seeds sold by Monsanto. These have been engineered to withstand repeated dousing with the herbicide, glyphosate (also sold by Monsanto and marketed as RoundUp). According to the nonprofit Non GMO Project, this allows soybean farmers to repeatedly spray their fields with RoundUp to kill all weeds (and other nearby plant life) except for the soybean plants they are growing.

The U.S. government permits the sale and consumption of GM foods, but many consumers aren’t so sure it’s OK to eat them—given not only the genetic tinkering but also the exposure to so much glyphosate. Due to these concerns, the European Union has had a moratorium on GM crops of all kinds since 1998.

The fact that genetically modified soy may be present in as much as 70 percent of all food products found in U.S. supermarkets means that a vast majority of Americans may be putting a lot of GM soy into their systems every day. And not just directly via cereals, breads and pasta: Some 98 percent of the U.S. soybean crop is fed to livestock, so consumers of meat, eggs and dairy are indirectly ingesting the products of scientific tinkering with unknown implications for human health.

Since GM soy has only been around and abundant for less than a decade, no one yet knows for sure what the long term health effects, if any, will be on the populations of countries such as the U.S. that swear by it. Natural foods stores like WholeFoods are your best bet for finding non-GM foods of all sorts.

CONTACTS: Environmental Health News, www.environmentalhealthnews.org; Non GMO Project, www.nongmoproject.org.

Stumbling upon a slew of articles divulging the latest list of aphrodisiacal foods around Valentine’s Day is no big surprise. Lists range from foods containing ingredients that are thought to work within our bodies to induce a sexual reaction to foods that can simply arouse the five senses. All of the talk about aphrodisiacs that surfaces with a vengeance during this time of year illuminates a most obvious fact of life: human beings hunger to know more about anything and everything that might possibly feed their sexual fires. But what about those foods that do just the opposite? Although not scientifically proven, it won’t hurt to avoid at all costs the evil, sexual desire-killing twin of the aphrodisiac on Valentine’s Day: the anti-aphrodisiac.

(Media Credit/Julius Schorzman via Wikimedia Commons)

Caffeinated Beverages. According to Caring Medical & Rehabilitation Services, drinking too many caffeinated beverages, such as soda and coffee, can lower your sex drive by causing adrenal fatigue. If your adrenal gland does not produce enough hormones, you can suffer from both decreased desire for sex and inadequate energy to perform.

Cilantro. Asian monks eat cilantro in order to control their sex drives, claims Sam Greenspan of 11Points.com in “11 Foods That Just Might Kill Your Sex Drive.” But in the Middle Ages, people believed that cilantro held the power to boost the sex drive, and thus used it as a main ingredient in their love potions. So is cilantro an aphrodisiac or an anti-aphrodisiac? You decide.

Corn Flakes. John Harvey Kellogg, the creator of Corn Flakes, believed that sex and masturbation were at the root of most health problems, Greenspan says. Kellogg whipped up the originally sugarless cereal under the impression that a bland breakfast could curb sexual urges throughout the day.

Gin & Tonic. While tonic’s main ingredient, quinine, has been associated with lowering testosterone levels, according to Dr. Matthew Karlovsky in his EmpowHER.com post “Can Certain Foods Kill Your Sex Drive?”, it is well known that alcohol of any variety has been linked to hindered sexual performance if consumed in excess. Gordon Attard of PimpThatFood.com suggests that because alcohol “inhibits inhibition itself,” perhaps this one should be counted as neutral.

Graham Crackers. Greenspan says that like Corn Flakes, Graham Crackers were the creation of a man who despised the uncontrollable sex drives of his contemporaries. Reverend Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister in 1820s New Jersey, believed that a meat-rich diet lead to sexual promiscuity. In creating this bland cracker, Graham had hoped to suppress the sex drives of those around him.

Granola. James Caleb Jackson created the first batch of this crunchy cereal in the 1860s and called it “granula,” says Greenspan. Soon after, Kellogg stole the recipe and began selling it as his own. After being sued, Kellogg started to market his product as “granola.” (I think we know who came out on top in this battle). Like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and Graham’s Graham Crackers, Jackson created this cereal in order to curb sex drives with the power of bland, tasteless food.

Energy Drinks. Like caffeinated beverages, energy drinks provide consumers with a forceful boost of energy followed by an even greater crash. David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of “Men’s Health” and co-author of national bestseller “Eat This, Not That!” says in his article “Best and Worst Foods for Your Libido” that high sugar diets (and energy drinks contain a lot of sugar) can lead to temporarily lowered testosterone, and consequently a temporarily lowered sex drive.

(Media Credit/Tammy Green via Flickr)

Soy. According to Dr. Karlovsky, the phytoestrogens found in soy can disrupt the ratio of testosterone and estrogen, and testosterone is the driving force behind the libido for both sexes.

Mints. Although most look to mint-flavored candies and gum as secret weapons for freshening breath, eating too many mints could actually be bad for your libido, according to a study conducted by Suleyman Demirel University Medical School in Turkey, which found decreased levels of testosterone in rats that had consumed peppermint tea.

Fast Food. Just as plaque build-up from unhealthy fats, such as saturated and hydrogenated fats, found in fast food and fried food can lead to cardiovascular problems, it can also build up in the vessels of the penis, decreasing blood circulation and making getting an erection difficult despite how much you might want to get it on, according to Caring Medical & Rehabilitation Services.

(Media Credit/Heavybluesman via Wikimedia Commons)

Tomatoes. While tomatoes do indeed have their nutritional perks, Zinczenko suggests that the lycopene and phytofluene in these fruits can also decrease testosterone levels, and thus hinder one’s sex drive.

White Chocolate. While white chocolate isn’t exactly an anti-aphrodisiac per se, it’s interesting to note the difference between the aphrodisiacal quality of dark chocolate and the total lack thereof when it comes to white. According to Zinczenko, the heightened skin sensitivity and increase in serotonin that can result from eating dark chocolate doesn’t occur at all from consuming white chocolate. This is because white chocolate doesn’t actually contain any cocoa, the main ingredient in dark chocolate that produces those feel-good sensations.

Nowadays everything is eco-something. There are hybrid cars, organic veggies, solar powered homes and many more to list. However, as consumers it is hard to get involved in a complete lifestyle of eco-friendly-isim. What if you rent, or cannot buy a hybrid car or don’t have a Whole Foods close to your neighborhood?

A simple solution may be to change the way you dress. With many designers creating eco-friendly lines it is a little bit easier to shop consciously and help the planet. One of such designers is Damali Ayo, who opened her online clothing store on May 5 ready to create a difference without draining your pockets.

"I love to make people feel sexy without being uncomfortable. I love making clothes and designs that people want to touch, in that way CROW tries to bring people together. I also love function. Clothes have to work well as well as look good, all of this goes into CROW," said Ayo, owner of CROW eco-friendly clothing.

CROW is one of the latest stores that opened on-line. In comparison with other sites though, Ayo’s products are made of 100 percent sustainable materials like soy, organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and lyocell. Her signature design, a crow, is featured in various shirts over the color “clay”; as said on the site it is a grey that “reminds us that whenever two opposite colors are mixed, the result is grey. We use this new grey clay to shape our world to be exactly what we want it to be.”

Although her business plan seems peachy, Ayo still has to run a business after all. Since other designers and labels compete with the new eco-friendly products CROW staffers aim to maintain a "we-can-do-it" attitude. Although they respect other fashion businesses views, the team wishes designers stayed away from conventional cotton use for example, which employs near-slave labor as Ayo said.

If more designers used sustainable fabrics there could be, as the owner explains, "a difference in environmental issues, in community issues, and create more options in fabrics that are accessible and affordable to all of us."

Currently Ayo buys sustainable fabrics that cost more than simple-cotton based ones, something that she says is frustrating. A general change in using sustainable materials would help the environment, those who work in producing it and customers that want long-lasting and fashionable products.

"The kind of company I run is the kind that truly believes ‘everything is possible’ as our shirts say. I knew that selling sustainable garments wasn’t enough- I wanted to combine all the new ideas in fashion with my ideas about business and create a dream model of ‘how to be.’ CROW strives to be that," Ayo said.

Because of this desire to do good and stand out, CROW engages in a distinctive way of recycling, reusing or composting fabric scraps, patterns and thread. Its "scrapology" line also reinvents leftovers into one-of-a-kind pieces and the company insists on using cold-water washable materials that are still soft and shapely after line drying. All production and assembly work is done by local sewers, both to offset CO2 emissions and to stimulate local economies; if you want to join the recycling circle CROW’s cradle-to-cradle system takes back all clothing that can be composted or sent back to the company to be reused through their donation system.

Another concept that makes this line different from others is that shoppers can actually name their own price for the items, much like bidding on airplane tickets. Some prices range from $75 to $15 and, as the owner claims, people pay the higher prices for the items.

"We offer a sliding scale pricing and excellent product- that resulted in people feeling welcomed and often paying the upper end of the range because what we offer is of such high quality. Customers are engaged in the process of capitalism, we invest in them and they invest in us," Ayo explained.

With a background in art, having degrees and jobs in the fine arts, Ayo has been prepared to launch CROW and face the highly critical fashion world. At the moment she is the main designer, but through her connections in the art field she is in the search of new talent. Looking to create unique graphics that can give her business even more distinction. Because she wants to give back and help other up-an-coming artists she has also decided to donate a percentage of her sales to Art Now grants which go to artists striving for social change.

As the clothing website says, this line is "perfect for fashionistas with a conscience, and green gods and goddesses, as well as those just wondering how they can look hot while still helping to slow global warming,.. Style and sustainability can coexist."

As thing develop Ayo wants to look for retail space, where not only clothing will be available. CROW was created to start a community where people actually care about you. "We want to see you healthy, eating well, learning cool stuff and expanding who you are as a person. It’s no longer an us- them model of commerce it’s a ‘we’ model." And when the first store is opened? "I’ll be teaching yoga to our staff," Ayo added happily.

Currently there are shirts, dresses, male dress shirts and eclectic accessories that are sure to embellish any outfit. Many ideas are still in the works and new designs being prepared for future seasons, possibly with more male items to offer as well. "So many designers are afraid of menswear, which is crazy to me. Men are delicious! I love to dress them," said the designer.

So apparently, May is National Salad Month, and the good folks at The Soy Food Council want to remind you to eat healthy for at least one month.

DES MOINES, IOWA — Flowers are in bloom, warm temperatures are around the corner and nothing quite feels more like summer than a cool, refreshing salad with a variety of in-season fruits and vegetables. May is National Salad Month, and with soyfoods, creating a fresh and healthy meal is fast and easy.

Soy packs numerous health benefits as do most vegetable salads. The more colorful your salad is, the healthier it will be, and tossing some soy on it just amplifies the positive nutritional value.

Salads have a reputation as being a go-to food when it comes to dieting. The addition of soyfoods to your salad will help in more ways than one. First of all, soy is jam-packed with protein-the only plant food that has the same equivalent as an animal product. Studies have shown soy protein will decrease your appetite, keeping you full longer and less likely to snack a lot in between meals or gorge yourself at dinner time.

According to Dr. Mark Messina, adjunct associate professor of nutrition at Loma Linda University, some studies have even shown soy to decrease body fat.

“There is some data, although it is quite speculative, that soy causes loss of body fat,” said Messina. “Even if weight loss is not increased to a greater extent with soy versus other proteins, body composition may be improved-less fat, relatively more lean muscle tissue.”

What isn’t at all speculative but has been proven is soy protein reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) while helping weight loss.

“There is no question that soy protein lowers cholesterol,” said Messina. “More specifically, it lowers bad cholesterol about 4 percent, which in theory reduces risk of coronary heart disease by about 10 percent. Second, soyfoods are low in saturated fat, and when displacing more traditional sources of protein in the U.S. diet, soyfoods reduce saturated fat intake, and as a result, cholesterol is further lowered.”

Obesity has been linked to diabetes in many individuals. Along with protein, soy contains isoflavones which may reduce blood glucose and insulin levels while stopping fat tissue build-up and enhancing the breakdown of fat.

“For diabetics, I think soy has some advantages,” said Messina. “It is very heart healthy which is important because heart disease risk in diabetics is greatly increased compared to non-diabetics. Second, soy protein doesn’t stress the kidneys as much as other proteins, which is important because one of the main medical complications of diabetes is renal disease.”

While lowering your blood glucose levels, soy can reduce your blood pressure as well. The American Heart Association estimates high blood pressure affects approximately 50 million Americans and one billion people worldwide.

Substituting soynuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet appears to lower the blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and may also reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure, according to a report.

“Evidence suggests soy protein lowers systolic (top number) blood pressure about 4 points (4 mm Hg) or so and diastolic blood pressure about 2 points,” said Messina. “Although that may seem small, that is very clinically relevant.”

A common misconception is as long as you’re eating a salad, you’re making a healthy choice. For the most part, that can be true until it comes time to add the dressing. All nutritional value gets thrown out the window the second a thick, creamy ranch dressing douses your salad. Using the wrong kind of dressing can add as many calories as a cheeseburger to your healthy intentions. However, you don’t have to sacrifice taste along with calories.

Using soy and other ingredients, you can make your own Ranch, Thousand Island or Caesar dressing right at home. And it is easy, delicious, nutritious and inexpensive!

This spring when you’re surrounding yourself with all the beauty of the season and fresh air, incorporate soyfoods to make this May the healthiest National Salad Month yet.

Creamy Ranch Dressing

1 1/4 cups soymilk
12 oz silken tofu, drained
1 oz package ranch salad dressing

Mix the ingredients together, and you have a low-fat, protein-filled ranch dressing. In a ¼ cup there are only 48 calories, as opposed to regular Ranch dressing which contains 140 calories in 2 tablespoons, or 280 calories for ¼ cup.

Thousand Island Dressing
If ranch dressing isn’t your weakness, but you still want a creamy dressing, here’s an alternative.

12 oz silken tofu, drained
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons of white vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons chopped sweet pickles
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons chopped green onion.

After combining the tofu, water, vinegar, lemon juice and chili sauce in a blender, stir in the pickles, green peppers and onions. For 1/4 cup, there are 50 calories, 3 grams of soy protein and 7 grams of carbohydrates as opposed to regular Thousand Island that has 59 calories per tablespoon or 236 calories in a 1/4 cup.

Caesar Dressing

Finally, here’s a healthy alternative for a Caesar dressing. This is what you’ll need:

3 garlic cloves, preferably large
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/4 cups cubed firm silken tofu
1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. There are 17 calories per serving, 1.4 grams protein, 1.6 total carbohydrates and .4 grams of fiber.

Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad

The word “salad” is not exclusive to lettuce topped with veggies. There are also various bean and pasta salads, and this Mexican Black Bean and Corn Salad is sure to spice up any fiesta. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 cans (15 oz.) black soybeans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 large red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped green onions
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2/3 cup chopped cilantro, optional
Juice from 2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon soybean oil

Combine the first eight ingredients in a large bowl. Make dressing with lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt and soybean oil; combine well. Pour over salad ingredients and toss lightly to combine. Chill several hours before serving.

This recipe makes about 8 cups with 117 calories per serving, 8 grams protein (6 grams soy protein), 16 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 340 mg sodium, 40 mg calcium and 5 g dietary fiber.

Courtesy of The Soyfoods Council