Continued from What is Casein Protein?

Soy protein is an alternative for those who choose to avoid animal products altogether.

Commonly referred to as the heart-healthy source of protein based on rather controversial clinical research linking soy consumption with improved cholesterol levels, soy (particularly in isolate form) contains little fat or cholesterol.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, eating 25 grams of soy protein a day, in addition to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Soy isolates may provide higher amounts of soy isoflavones (e.g., genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) than a soy protein concentrate. Soy isoflavones may offer other benefits including a reduction in menopausal symptoms.

There is some concern among men that soy’s estrogenic effects may cause breast development and reduce testosterone.

According to some experts, these symptoms, though mildly observed in supplement research, are not likely to occur in men eating soy foods, as the amount of isoflavones in foods does not begin to approach the larger doses given in the supplement studies.

Still, if you are a man looking for an alternative to whey and casein proteins, consider using hemp based protein products. While soy allergies are rare, those who are allergic to soybeans should exercise caution.