Soy has long been heralded as a super food, shown to lower cholesterol, slow the development of diabetes, and improve overall health. Now, men have an even greater reason to add tofu, tempeh, soybeans, soymilk, and other soy products to their diets. Soy protein has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

According to a recent meta-analysis conducted jointly by researchers from Washington University and The Solae Company, men who regularly consume soy protein-containing foods have a 30 percent lower chance of developing prostate cancer (International Journal of Cancer, 2005). Prostate cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men.

The researchers looked at eight studies examining the relationship between the consumption of soy protein foods and prostate cancer. The meta-analysis is supported by a cross-national review of mortality rates and nutritional data for 42 countries that found that populations with a higher level of soy consumption have a lower incidence of prostate cancer mortality.