Soy: Does it reduce cholesterol?

Possibly. Although eating soy-based foods can slightly lower your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as the “bad” cholesterol, the American Heart Association has concluded that soy alone doesn’t lower cholesterol enough to make a big difference in your health.

However, eating soy-based foods can still be good for you because soy-based foods have less saturated fat than meat does. Soy-based foods also provide other helpful nutrients, such as good fats, called monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

If you substitute soy for animal-based products, this switch — rather than the soy itself — may reduce your cholesterol.

Talk to your healthcare team or dietitian if you’re interested in adding more soy to your diet.