Soy foods may lower COPD risk

Eating lots of soy products may improve lung function and reduce the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study has found.

COPD is a serious respiratory disease that can lead to significant disability for patients. It is mainly caused by smoking and has become a major public health problem in Ireland, with some 110,000 people suffering from it in this country.

Researchers from Curtin University of Technology in Australia found that consuming a wide variety of soy products reduces the risk of COPD and other respiratory symptoms.

But they added that the best preventive measure to COPD is to abstain from tobacco entirely.

The researchers said that the flavonoids from soy act as an anti-inflammatory agent in the lung.

“However, further research is needed to understand the underlying biological mechanism,” the researchers added.

Soy is found in many Japanese foods, including tofu, natto, miso soup, bean sprouts and soy milk.

Previous research has shown that soy foods can also reduce cholesterol and alleviate menopause symptoms.

The study was published in the journal Respiratory Research.

[Posted: Sat 27/06/2009]