In order to feed a growing global population with a projected rise in socioeconomic status, more sources of calories, particularly protein, will be needed.
In order to feed a growing global population with a projected rise in socioeconomic status, more sources of calories, particularly protein, will be needed. The Sustainable Development Goals developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations must be in line with these sources.
Based on the following factors, the soybean is particularly positioned to tackle this challenge:
The production of soybeans worldwide exceeds that of all pulses put together by around four times.
Compared to other legumes, soybeans have a higher protein content, and the quality of soy protein is comparable to that of animal protein. Production of global soybeans is about four times greater than that of other pulses put together.
Soybeans, which contain both essential fatty acids, are a great source of healthy fat. Like other legumes, soybeans fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis, which lowers the demand for fertilizer inputs.
Soybeans are seen as a cheap food that can be incorporated into a variety of diets, whatever one’s socioeconomic status.
Soybeans, like other legumes, are also recognized as a cheapest food that people can easily afford based on their needs.
As a result, soybeans are well positioned to supply the energy and protein demands of the world in the future. With this understanding, health practitioners should feel confident advocating for increased soy food consumption for both individual and planetary reasons.
Environmental Impact of Soy-Protein:
Because bacterial symbionts (rhizobia) live in the root nodules of soybeans, like all legumes, they fix nitrogen, minimizing the need for chemical fertilizer. Environmental issues arise from the anticipated global loss of 50% of the nitrogen used to fertilize crops. Due to its association with South American deforestation, it is remarkable that the environmental impact of soybean production is frequently represented negatively.
Yet, the US, the second-largest soybean producer in the world, does not experience deforestation as a result of its soybean output. When plant and animal protein sources were compared in terms of greenhouse gas emissions , soybeans produced the most protein (g).
Nutritional value, and in particular, IAA content, should be taken into account when evaluating the environmental impact of foods. With the exception of soybeans, which had the smallest environmental impact, there was no distinction between sources of protein from plants and animals when this criteria was applied.
Unlike other legumes, the majority of soy that people eat does not come from the complete bean. Consequently, it is crucial to take into account both the price of producing soybeans and the price of creating goods made from soybeans.
Dietary protein Requirements:
Population Requirements:
Due to population growth, rising wages, and the correlation between protein intake and consumption, there will be a significant increase in the demand for proteins (especially animal protein).
According to a 2017 prediction by Henchion et al., in order to meet the demands of a predicted population of 9.6 billion people by 2050, protein output would need to rise by 78% even if everyone consumed the present maximum levels of protein consumption (estimated at 103 g/d).
According to research by Lieberman et al., protein intake in 14 developed nations was consistently about 16% of total energy, which is almost twice the amount of calories from protein an adult needs. The protein leverage hypothesis, which claims that there is a strong biological tendency to regulate the amount of protein, is supported by this study.
Protein Requirements for Individuals:
The US adult Allowance for protein as recommended by the National Academy of Medicine ,FAO and other health organizations, is 0.8 gram per kg. The RDA assumes an intake of high-quality protein and is primarily based on the findings of a meta-analysis of nitrogen balance studies (NBS) by Rand.
The NAM, however, acknowledged the limitations of NBS and urged the use of another methods to determine protein needs. The indicator amino acid oxidation technique is one such frequently used substitute. This approach reliably demonstrates that protein needs are about 50percent higher than the RDA.
Soybeans versatility:
The soybean contains 20% oil (by weight), of which 85% is used for human consumption, however the non-lipid portion receives most attention. The US soybean crop alone could provide roughly 6 g/d of protein for the entire predicted 2050 population at present production levels (for year 2018, 4.39 billion bushels, 11 pounds protein per bushel).
Even though just under 80% of the world’s soybean production is currently fed to cattle, the proportion used specifically for human consumption may rise in response to consumer desire for more dietary variety. Because soybeans are so widely used in Asia, soy foods already significantly contribute to daily protein intake. For instance, soy makes up about 10% of the total protein consumed in Japan.
Conclusions:
Over the next 30 years, there will be a greater demand for dietary protein and food that has been produced sustainably. The soybean may be in a special position to assist in meeting this need because it contains more protein than other legumes.
It is effectively produced and adaptable since the variety of foods that may be made from this bean can fit into a wide range of culinary traditions.
The meat replacements manufactured with concentrated amounts of soy protein are particularly noteworthy in this regard. Although other plant sources are also employed for this, soy is a great option due to its high protein content and widespread availability.