Using soy products, like tofu, natto, bean sprouts and soy milk, can reduce the risk and symptoms of lung disease i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Taking 75g of soy products daily is having the most health benefits and improving the lung fuction in human beings.
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic medical condition that refers to lung diseases – chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which co exis with narrowing of airways. COPD most commonly develops as a result of cigarette smoking.
The study was led by Curtin’s Professor Andy Lee and included academics from Curtin’s Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) and representatives from four Japanese hospitals. This study is published in the Respiratory Research.
This research study was conducted in Japan, and found that people who consumed more than 75g of soy products daily had the most health benefits. People who consumed at least 50g of soy products per day reduced their risk of developing COPD and respiratory symptoms, too.
Professor Andy Lee warned that although the research found that soy consumption could reduce the risk of COPD, it did not mean smokers should continue with the habit.
“Studies like this show that diet can result in new methods of prevention which can have an important impact on the cost to our health care systems,” he said.
Source: Curtin University of Technology, Australia