France has declared the war as the soybeans. LThe National Health Security Agency (Anses) has asked for the withdrawal of all foods with soy. According to the health authorities, Excessive soybean consumption can cause certain health risks.
Soybeans has a high concentration of IsoflavonasSome connections that “They can have harmful effects on health, especially on the reproductive system if they are consumed in large quantities«. In fact, even the most apparently healthy foods, such as yogurt or milk, They must be consumed in moderation.
Why are the isoflavonas
Soy is increasingly present in our dishes, However, its consumption in children often generates doubts. Are these worries justified? The French Agency Health Security Agency, The Environment and Work (Anses) He believes yesand has established strict limits for the intake of Isoflavonas.
Isoflavonas are phyto -rogues, natural connections present in soybeans and their derivatives. These molecules have a structure similar to Estrogensthat interested in the possible health benefits (such as relieving the symptoms of the menopauseStrengthen bones and prevent certain cancers) and at the same time worry about their potential to change the hormonal system, especially in the children’s population.
Therefore, The National Health Security Agency (Anses) has made specific recommendations about its consumption. A daily toxicological reference value (VRT) is thus established for these substances: 0.02 mg per kilogram of body weight for the general population and 0.01 mg per kilogram for vulnerable groups, including children before puberty.
To put in perspective, In France it was estimated that these limits were exceeded in 53-76 % of children from 3 to 18 years, as well as 47 % of adults older than 18 years old. These figures, obtained after a precautionary approach, are mainly based on animal studies, which generate doubts about their direct applicability to people. Are results extrapolable in animal models to our children?
‘Obvious’ limitations of animal studies
Animal studies are of fundamental importance to identify possible risks related to isoflavones. However, these present various limitations that can hinder their extrapolation to people, such as Metabolic differences.
Rodents metabolize isoflavones less efficient than people because of differences in their ability to combine through glucuronidation. This results in much higher plasma concentrations than in humans.
In addition, the Dose are unrealistic. Many studies use extremely high doses of Isoflavones that surpass typical human consumption, which can overdo effects that do not arise in normal nutritional levels.
SOCILY, the Management routes are not comparable. In animals, ISOFLAVONEN are usually administered by injection or by methods that avoid the human digestive system, which changes their biodsponability and activity.
The same applies to the intestinal microbiota, which plays a crucial role in the metabolization of isoflavones in active connections such as Equol. Since the microbial composition varies considerably between species, the results obtained in animals cannot reflect what happens in humans.
That is why these restrictions underline the need to carefully interpret the data obtained in animal models when evaluating risks for human health.
Reassure aspects with people
Unlike what studies in animals suggest, The evidence of people offers a more reassuring vision in relation to possible damage derived from exposure to isoflavones.
Various systematic assessments have shown that soybean consumption during childhood is not associated with the early appearance of puberty or with Changes in the Menarchy era.
These findings are contradictory with the first worries based on animal studies, which suggested that Fyto -Strogens of soy formulas can change hormonal development.
Moreover, Human data consistently shows that the consumption of soybeans during childhood does not entail a risk for normal adolescent development.
In addition, Long -term studies in children fed with soy -protein formulas have not shown hormonal effects similar to those of estrogenAnd bone metabolism markers continue to reach within normal.
Caution
The position taken by National Health Security Agency of France (Anses) It reflects a strict application of the precautionary principle, a strategy designed to minimize potential risks for scientific uncertainty.
Although this approach gives priority to safety, it can ignore robust evidence that supports the nutritional benefits and the safety of moderate soybeans.
In a sense, it is useful to note that France is the only country in the world that establishes a limitation of the consumption of soybeans. Other international institutions, on the other hand, not only limit soybean consumption, but also absorb it as part of a healthy diet.
So the European Food Security Authority (EFSA) Consuming ISOFLAVONS SAFE When they are consumed as nutritional supplements for postmenopausal women, and Canadian food drivers include products based on soy as an integral part of a healthy diet.
In Australia and the United States, food is also derived from soybeans recognized as valuable sources of plant proteins and micronutrients that are essential for the growth of children.
Approach based on scientific evidence
The debate about Isoflavonen illustrates the difficulty in transferring the complexity of scientific research to coherent public policy. Although pre -clinical studies have generated concern about their hormonal activity, decades of evidence in people deny that they are endocrine or dangerous disturbers in usual consumption quantities.
It is crucial to adopt a evidence -based approachThat takes into account both possible risks and the proven benefits of moderate soybeans. For all these reasons, consumed in a responsible manner, soybeans are not only safe, but also nutritious and useful for children and adults.