Nutty over Soy . . . Can It Combat Hypertension?

Can adding more dietary soy contribute to lower rates of coronary heart disease? Researchers conducted a randomized, controlled, crossover trial to assess the effect on blood pressure and lipid levels of eating soy nuts daily for 8 weeks. Sixty postmenopausal women were instructed to follow the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet (30% total fat [≤7% saturated fat], 15% protein, 55% carbohydrates, and <200 mg cholesterol/day). After demonstrating adherence for 4 weeks, women were randomized to continue the diet for 8 weeks with or without an additional daily 25 g soy protein in the form of unsalted soy nuts (dry-roasted soybeans; one-half cup). After 8 weeks, each group followed the TLC diet alone for 4 weeks and then crossed over to th…