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Soy is a very important ingredient in modern foods.
Soy is eaten as tofu and soy beverages (such as soy milk). About
two-thirds of all manufactured food products contain a soy-based
ingredient. These include:
- oils (as vegetable oils and fats);
- soy flour;
- lecithin (an extract from soy); and
- soy protein.
Soy is one of the six main crops used worldwide for oil production.
Others include canola, sunflowers, oil palm, cotton and peanuts.
Soy proteins
are thought to be able to reduce cholesterol
levels in the body. Soy is also used as an ingredient in animal
feed.
Soy is an important food ingredient because of its widespread use
and nutritional qualities. Due to this, soy has been a focus for
scientists working on genetic modification of plants.
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