Men ’ s Health : Natural health approaches for better prostate health
CHAPTER three
what are soybeans and how do they work ?
The soybean ( Glycine max ) is an extremely important plant native to East Asia and it is grown for its edible bean . Classed as an oilseed as opposed to a pulse , it contains significant levels of B vitamins , dietary minerals and phytic acid . Grown annually , it produces more oil and protein per acre of land than most other crops . It provides a protein packed alternative to meat , supplies a high number of nutrients when consumed and is a versatile food plant . A hot weather crop , soybean grows year-round in the tropics but they need soil moisture for the germination process and dry weather for the production of dry seeds .
Soybean contains many beneficial nutrients including protein , carbohydrates , vitamins and minerals . It is one of the least expensive sources of protein in a diet . Soybean also contains most of the essential amino acids for human nutrition :
• Molybdenum – an essential trace element
• Vitamin K1 – plays a vital role in blood clotting
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