There are so many questions when it comes to soy. Do you believe the cardiac health benefits soy provides? Or do you avoid soy because of the phytates? Are you unsure about it? Most importantly, what are we talking about when we say the word ‘soy’?

Traditionally, soy was eaten as fermented foods but now nearly all the soy we see & eat is genetically modified (GM) & unfermented. 91% of soy grown in the US is GM. While this increases farming efficiency & provides cheaper soy, the downside is that your soy is loaded with toxic pesticides. (Think Monsanto) Current research indicates that GM soy is linked to an increase in allergies & even more frightening may have the potential to cause infertility in future generations.

For centuries, Asian people have been consuming fermented soy products such as miso, natto, tempeh, & tamari safely. After a long fermentation process, the anti-nutrient levels of soybeans are reduced. These antinutrients, called phytates, are compounds that interfere with the absorption of nutrients & are what can cause unpleasant tummy upsets.

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