NEW DATABASE ON SOY PRODUCTS, ISOFLAVONES GIVES CONSUMERS, SCIENTISTS ACCESS TO HEALTH REPORTS

Buying Power, Inc. is committed to helping you maximize your health and well-being. All of us want to enjoy vigorous, healthy lives. Sometimes it's difficult to eat a fully balanced diet and even those that do may require additional nutrients for optimum health.

1-800-577-1826

NEW DATABASE ON SOY PRODUCTS, ISOFLAVONES GIVES CONSUMERS, SCIENTISTS ACCESS TO HEALTH REPORTS

Story Filed: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 11:29 AM EST

WASHINGTON, Sep 21, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Nutritionists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, noting that isoflavones have antioxidant effects that can potentially reduce heart disease and cancer risks, have completed work with Iowa State University to develop an accessible list studying 128 soy- containing and related foods. The main dietary sources of isoflavones are soybeans and soyfoods.

Officials said this is the first database on isoflavones, collected from scientific articles published in journals. In addition, data on isoflavones were gathered at Iowa State by extensive sampling and analysis of soy foods.

The new information has been placed on U.S. Department of Agriculture web site and can be accessed at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/isoflav/isoflav.html.

The new database is the result of a year-long joint project of the Agriculture Department's food composition laboratory and nutrient data laboratory, with Iowa State University's Department of Food Science and Nutrition.

The project was undertaken following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision in 1998 that will allow food manufacturers to make health claims for soy-related products. FDA later this year is expected to announce a final rule that will give guidance on wording for use by food manufacturers. Soy foods and other products are expected to receive new labels pointing out health benefits.

The FDA ruling will be based on a finding that soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease. Soy foods have also been cited as working against certain forms of cancer, and a number of other illnesses and diseases.

When FDA published its official notice in the Federal Register, it said: "The agency has tentatively concluded that, based on the totality of publicly available evidence, soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Iowa State nutritionists began working on their list of 128 soy-containing foods as consumer interest in soy products increased.

The list will contain files showing isoflavone values and references and studies from which the values were obtained. Government nutritionists said since this is the first database on isoflavones, their methodology was relaxed so as to include as many foods as possible.

##

(Foods for the Future provides factual information to the media concerning food products, health and nutrition. It is a project of the T. Dean Reed Company and is supported by U.S. agribusiness.)


CONTACT:       Dean Reed, 202-223-3532, for Foods for the Future 
GEOGRAPHY:     District of Columbia

INDUSTRY CODE: FOD HEA SUBJECT CODE: EXE

Home