Edamame, green soybeans.

Edamame (Green Soybeans)

Glycine max · also called Green soybeans, immature soybeans, mukimame (shelled edamame), soja verde (Spanish)

Edamame are soybeans picked while still young and green, eaten steamed or boiled from the pod. They give plant protein, fibre and folate. Trials of soy protein in place of other protein found a small fall in LDL cholesterol, but edamame themselves have not been tested. The main cautions are soy allergy (a major food allergen, sometimes severe), possible effects on thyroid tablets, and gas in sensitive people.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 26, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

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About Edamame (Green Soybeans)

Edamame are soybeans picked while still young and green, eaten steamed or boiled. They are rich in plant protein, fibre and folate. They are a nutritious food, not a proven remedy: the cholesterol findings come from trials of soy protein in place of other protein, and the heart and cancer findings come from observational studies of soy or legumes in general.

What it is

Edamame are the green, immature seeds of the soybean plant (Glycine max), a member of the legume family. They are eaten from the pod, steamed or boiled, or shelled. Mature soybeans, harvested later, are the beans used for tofu.

USDA data for boiled, shelled green soybeans without salt: 141 kcal per 100 g. One cup (180 g) has about 254 kcal, 22 g protein, 7.6 g fibre, 200 micrograms folate (DFE), 4.5 mg iron, 970 mg potassium and 108 mg magnesium. Frozen, unprepared edamame is a different USDA item: 109 kcal, 11.2 g protein and 4.8 g fibre per 100 g, with 31.4 micrograms of vitamin K. Pods are not eaten, so package weights that include pods overstate the beans.

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What the research shows

Pooled trials of soy protein in place of other protein found LDL cholesterol about 4.8 mg/dL lower (roughly 3 to 4%) over a median 6 weeks. That is a small change, and the trials used soy protein in many forms, not edamame. In postmenopausal women, soy protein supplements of 25 g a day or more lowered systolic blood pressure by about 3 mmHg.

Follow-up studies link more legumes to slightly less heart disease (RR 0.94 for cardiovascular disease, 0.90 for coronary heart disease, no link with stroke), and higher soy intake to fewer deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease. These cannot show cause.

Isoflavones are estrogen-like plant compounds; one laboratory study found them at lower levels in edamame varieties than in tofu varieties. Isoflavone supplements gave a small overall menopause benefit but no significant effect on hot flushes. A 2021 analysis of 41 clinical studies found no change in male hormone levels. For breast cancer, observational studies are mixed and limited, and NCCIH says soy supplements have not been shown to lower risk.

We read no trial of edamame itself.

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Food versus supplements and soy products

Most trials of soy and health used soy protein powders, isolates or isoflavone supplements, and NCCIH says effects may differ by product. Soy protein trials compared soy with other protein, so they describe a swap, not an add-on. Tofu, soy milk, soy sauce and supplements are different products; we make no claim about them here.

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Portions

The NHS counts 80 g of pulses and beans, including soy beans, as one portion of 5 A DAY, and pulses count only once a day however much you eat. This page gives no amounts to eat. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian what is right for you, especially if you have a food allergy, kidney disease, take thyroid medicine, warfarin or an MAOI.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Eaten steamed or boiled as a snack, side dish or in salads, in the pod or shelled
Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition

Studied for research

Plant protein, fibre and folate, high certainty for the nutrient content
Cholesterol, moderate certainty for soy protein in place of other protein, not tested with edamame
Heart disease, low certainty (observational, legumes as a group)
Blood pressure, low certainty (soy protein supplements in postmenopausal women)
Menopause symptoms, mixed (isoflavone supplements, no significant effect on hot flushes)
Breast cancer risk and survival, low certainty (observational, soy in general)
Male hormones, moderate certainty of no change (soy protein and isoflavones)
Bone density and type 2 diabetes, low or insufficient (agency summary only)

Main compounds

Plant protein
Dietary fibre
Folate
Isoflavones
Potassium
Vitamin K (frozen edamame)

Common forms

Steamed or boiled edamame in the pod
Shelled edamame (mukimame); the USDA values read are for shelled beans
Frozen edamame (USDA lists it separately)
Lightly salted or seasoned edamame (check the label)
Soy protein powders, isoflavone supplements, tofu, soy milk and soy sauce are different products and are not covered

Research links: 2019 analysis: soy protein and LDL cholesterol · 2023 review: soy and thyroid tablets · NCCIH: soy usefulness and safety · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Glycine max
Naming authority: (L.) Merr. (GBIF accepted)
Common names: Edamame (English); Green soybeans (English); Immature soybeans (English); Mukimame (shelled edamame) (English); Soja verde, edamame (Spanish)
Family or group: Fabaceae (the legume or pea family), as given by GBIF.
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Fabales > Fabaceae > Glycine > Glycine max
Native range: Not verified from a source read. NCCIH says soybeans have long been cultivated in Asia and are now also produced in other parts of the world, including the United States.
Habitat: Not verified from a source read.
What it looks like: Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Edamame are the soybean seeds picked while still immature and green, eaten from the pod (existing nutrient summary). USDA gives a household portion of 1 cup of shelled cooked beans = 180 g and 1 cup of frozen, unprepared edamame = 118 g.
Cultivation: Not verified from a source read.
Harvest and processing: Sold in the pod or shelled (mukimame), fresh or frozen, plain or lightly salted or seasoned (existing nutrient summary). A laboratory study describes edamame varieties as harvested while the seeds are still immature and tofu varieties as harvested when the seeds are mature.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Mature soybeans, tofu, soy milk and soy sauce; Note: Made from mature soybeans; nutrient values and effects differ. Mature raw soybeans have 446 kcal and 36.5 g protein per 100 g by USDA because they hold little water.; Name: Soy protein and isoflavone supplements; Note: Concentrated products; most trials of soy and health used these, not edamame.
Sustainability and conservation: Not assessed.

Photographs

Edamame (green soybeans) close-up — Edamame, green soybeans.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Plant protein	protein	Seed USDA: 12.4 g per 100 g boiled shelled beans; 11.2 g per 100 g frozen, unprepared	Soy is a protein-rich legume; NCCIH says soy protein in place of other proteins may lower cholesterol to a small extent. ^{22 21 18 1}	Human data
Dietary fibre	carbohydrate	Seed USDA: 4.2 g per 100 g boiled shelled; 4.8 g per 100 g frozen, unprepared	A fibre food; the soluble and insoluble split was not read. ^{22 21}	Composition
Folate	B vitamin	Seed USDA: 111 micrograms DFE per 100 g boiled shelled; 303 micrograms DFE per 100 g frozen, unprepared	A B vitamin; content only, no trial of edamame read. ^{22 21}	Composition
Isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, glycitein)	isoflavone (phytoestrogen)	Seed Laboratory study of 30 varieties: total isoflavones 0.02 to 0.12% in edamame varieties and 0.16 to 0.25% in tofu varieties	NCCIH describes isoflavones as compounds similar in structure to the hormone estrogen. Laboratory chemistry does not show what edamame do in the body. ^{12 18}	Laboratory research
Potassium	mineral	Seed USDA: 539 mg per 100 g boiled shelled; 482 mg per 100 g frozen, unprepared	Relevant to people on a potassium limit. ^{22 21 16}	Composition
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	vitamin	Seed USDA: 31.4 micrograms per 100 g frozen, unprepared edamame; no value listed for the boiled item	Relevant to people on warfarin. ^{21 17}	Composition

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Soy protein and blood cholesterol	Not specified in the sources read	NCCIH says consuming soy protein in place of other proteins may lower cholesterol to a small extent, and that isoflavones may not have the same effect. Mechanism not established in the abstract read. ^{18 1}	Human data
Isoflavones and estrogen-like activity	Estrogen receptors are not named in the sources read	NCCIH describes isoflavones as similar in structure to estrogen. A 2021 pooled analysis found no change in male reproductive hormone levels with soy protein or isoflavones, and a 2025 analysis found a small overall benefit for menopausal symptoms but none for hot flushes. ^{18 8 4}	Human data

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not found for edamame. A 2023 review discusses whether soy products change levothyroxine absorption.
Distribution: Not found.
Metabolism: Not found.
Elimination: Not found.
Bioavailability: Not established for edamame isoflavones or nutrients in the sources read.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

The cholesterol and blood pressure trials used soy protein (powders, isolates and soy foods) in place of other protein, or isoflavone supplements. That describes a swap or a supplement, not edamame on top of a usual diet. NCCIH separates soy foods from soy protein and isoflavone supplements and says effects may differ by product. The follow-up studies are about soy foods or legumes in general. We read no trial that fed people edamame and measured cholesterol, heart attacks or cancer.

Nutritional composition

Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, April 2018 release; values read 2026-10-26 from a saved copy of the data feed). Boiled, drained green soybeans without salt, shelled (FDC 169283), per 100 g: 141 kcal, 12.4 g protein, 6.4 g fat (0.74 g saturated), 11.0 g carbohydrate, 4.2 g fibre, about 69 g water, 145 mg calcium, 2.5 mg iron, 60 mg magnesium, 158 mg phosphorus, 539 mg potassium, 14 mg sodium, 17 mg vitamin C, 111 micrograms folate (DFE), 0.26 mg thiamin and 0.502 mg manganese. One cup of shelled beans (180 g) is about 254 kcal, 22 g protein, 11.5 g fat, 7.6 g fibre, 200 micrograms folate, 4.5 mg iron, 970 mg potassium and 108 mg magnesium (the per-100 g values multiplied by 1.8). USDA lists no vitamin K value for this item. Frozen, unprepared edamame (FDC 168410), per 100 g: 109 kcal, 11.2 g protein, 4.73 g fat, 7.61 g carbohydrate, 4.8 g fibre, 60 mg calcium, 2.11 mg iron, 482 mg potassium, 6 mg sodium, 303 micrograms folate (DFE) and 31.4 micrograms vitamin K; its cup portion is 118 g. Raw mature soybeans (FDC 174270), per 100 g: 446 kcal and 36.5 g protein, because they hold only about 8.5 g of water. Compare cooked with cooked. The pods are not eaten, so weights that include pods overstate the beans. Values vary with variety, growing place, freezing and cooking.

11benefits and uses looked at

23studies and sources checked

High certaintybest evidence rating found

7lab markers tracked in trials

1 high certainty2 moderate certainty1 mixed findings5 low certainty1 very low certainty1 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 11 benefits and uses checked for Edamame (Green Soybeans), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content)High certainty
Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein)Moderate certainty
Heart disease (legumes, observational)Low certainty
Blood pressureLow certainty
Menopause symptoms (isoflavones)Mixed findings
Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational)Low certainty
Living longer (soy, observational)Low certainty
Male hormones (a concern, no effect found)Moderate certainty
Bone density after menopause (agency summary)Low certainty
Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary)Not enough evidence
Obesity (pulses, observational)Very low certainty

Lab markers tracked in the studies

LDL cholesterolTotal cholesterolSystolic blood pressureDiastolic blood pressureTotal testosterone (men)Estradiol (men)Menopausal symptom score

What is Edamame (Green Soybeans) good for?

The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most results are for soy protein, isoflavone supplements or soy and legumes in general. We read no trial of edamame itself.

Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content)High certaintyBoiled, shelled edamame have 12.4 g of protein, 4.2 g of fibre and 111 micrograms of folate per 100 g by USDA data. One cup (180 g) has about 254 kcal, 22 g of protein, 7.6 g of fibre and 200 micrograms of folate. A nutrient fact, not a trial. Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein)Moderate certaintyPooled trials found soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL cholesterol by 4.76 mg/dL and total cholesterol by 6.41 mg/dL over a median 6 weeks. NCCIH calls the effect small. Edamame were not the tested food. Heart disease (legumes, observational)Low certaintyHigher legume intake was linked to a little less cardiovascular disease (RR 0.94) and coronary heart disease (RR 0.90), but not stroke (RR 1.00). Observational, and about legumes as a group. Blood pressureLow certaintySoy protein supplements lowered systolic pressure by about 3 mmHg in postmenopausal women, seen at 25 g a day or more. Follow-up studies link pulses to less high blood pressure (RR 0.91, very low certainty). Menopause symptoms (isoflavones)Mixed findingsIsoflavone supplements gave a small overall improvement in menopause symptoms (Hedges g -0.25) but no significant effect on hot flushes or sweating. NCCIH calls the hot flash effect small and not completely consistent. Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational)Low certaintySoy intake before a breast cancer diagnosis was linked to slightly better overall survival (HR 0.84). A large Chinese cohort found no link between moderate soy intake and getting breast cancer (RR 1.00). Observational and about soy in general. Living longer (soy, observational)Low certaintyHigher soy intake was linked to fewer deaths from cancer (RR 0.88) and from cardiovascular disease (RR 0.85) in follow-up studies. Observational, and about soy in general. Male hormones (a concern, no effect found)Moderate certaintyA 2021 pooled analysis of 41 clinical studies found no significant change in testosterone, estradiol or estrone in men eating soy protein or taking isoflavones. Bone density after menopause (agency summary)Low certaintyNCCIH says soy isoflavones probably benefit bone density in postmenopausal women. We read only that statement, not the studies behind it. Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary)Not enough evidenceNCCIH says high-soy diets may go with lower type 2 diabetes risk but it is uncertain whether soy improves control in people who have it. A pulse cohort analysis found no link with diabetes. Obesity (pulses, observational)Very low certaintyHigher pulse intake was linked to less obesity (RR 0.87) in follow-up studies, graded very low certainty. Soybeans were not separated out.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content)

High certainty

Cooked, shelled edamame have 12.4 g of protein, 4.2 g of fibre and 111 micrograms of folate per 100 g, by USDA data. One cup (180 g) has about 22 g of protein, 7.6 g of fibre and 200 micrograms of folate.

2 studiesSteamed or boiled shelled edamame as food.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

USDA FoodData Central lists boiled green soybeans (shelled, no salt) at 141 kcal, 12.4 g protein, 4.2 g fibre and 111 micrograms folate (DFE) per 100 g. Frozen, unprepared edamame (a different USDA item) has 109 kcal, 11.2 g protein, 4.8 g fibre and 303 micrograms folate (DFE) per 100 g.

Results

This is a plain nutrient fact, not a trial. It does not show that eating edamame treats any condition. Frozen and cooked values differ, so compare like with like.

Effect sizes as reported

Cooked shelled: 141 kcal, 12.4 g protein, 4.2 g fibre, 111 micrograms folate (DFE) per 100 g; per 1 cup (180 g): about 254 kcal, 22 g protein, 7.6 g fibre, 200 micrograms folate.

Why this rating

High for the nutrient content (a reference database), not for any health effect.

Form and dose studied

Steamed or boiled shelled edamame as food.

Who was studied

General diet.

Limits

Values change with variety, growing place, freezing and cooking. USDA SR Legacy data are from 2018. Values here are for the beans, not the pods.

Why researchers looked

Edamame are young soybeans, so people ask what the food gives in protein, fibre and vitamins.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Composition

Not applicable: this is nutrient content.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Soy is a major food allergen; see the Safety tab.

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Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein)

Moderate certainty

In pooled trials, soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol by about 4.8 mg/dL (roughly 3 to 4%). The trials used soy protein in many forms, not edamame in particular.

2 studiesSoy protein (many forms) in place of other protein; edamame were not …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A pooled analysis of 46 trials the US FDA was reviewing (43 gave usable data) found soy protein, at a median 25 g a day for a median 6 weeks, lowered LDL by 4.76 mg/dL and total cholesterol by 6.41 mg/dL compared with non-soy protein. About three quarters of the individual trials showed an LDL fall, though only a minority were significant on their own. NCCIH (2025 page) agrees the effect is small.

Results

A small average fall for soy protein in place of other protein. It is a swap, not an add-on, and not a treatment for high cholesterol. We did not read a trial that fed people edamame and measured cholesterol.

Effect sizes as reported

LDL -4.76 mg/dL (95% CI -6.71 to -2.80); total cholesterol -6.41 mg/dL (-9.30 to -3.52).

Why this rating

Moderate for soy protein: pooled randomised trials with a consistent direction but small size, moderate to high spread between trials (I2 55% to 74%) and an industry-linked author. Low for edamame itself, which was not tested.

Form and dose studied

Soy protein (many forms) in place of other protein; edamame were not the tested food.

Who was studied

Adults with LDL 110 to 201 mg/dL.

Limits

Short trials (median 6 weeks). Soy protein is not edamame. One author is at the Soy Nutrition Institute.

Why researchers looked

Soy protein was long allowed on US labels for heart health, and the US FDA was reconsidering that claim, so researchers pooled the trials it was looking at.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established in the abstract. NCCIH says soy protein in place of other protein may lower cholesterol to a small extent and that isoflavones may not have the same effect.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific beyond allergy and digestion (see the Safety tab).

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Heart disease (legumes, observational)

Low certainty

People who ate the most legumes had slightly less heart disease in follow-up studies (about 6% less cardiovascular disease and 10% less coronary heart disease), but no difference in stroke. Soybeans were not separated out.

2 studiesLegumes as eaten in the diet (soybeans not analysed separately in the…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2023 review of 26 observational studies found the highest legume intake linked to cardiovascular disease RR 0.94 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.99), coronary heart disease RR 0.90 (0.85 to 0.96) and stroke RR 1.00 (0.93 to 1.08). A 2019 umbrella review of cohort studies of pulses with or without other legumes found cardiovascular disease RR 0.92 and coronary heart disease RR 0.90 and graded the certainty low for cardiovascular disease and very low for coronary heart disease.

Results

A small link in observational studies. They cannot show that legumes caused the difference, and they cover legumes in general, not edamame or soy.

Effect sizes as reported

Cardiovascular disease RR 0.94 and 0.92; coronary heart disease RR 0.90; stroke RR 1.00 (no link).

Why this rating

Low or very low: observational cohorts (GRADE low for cardiovascular disease and very low for coronary heart disease in the 2019 review), legumes as a group.

Form and dose studied

Legumes as eaten in the diet (soybeans not analysed separately in the abstracts read).

Who was studied

Adults in cohort studies.

Limits

Observational, so no proof of cause. Healthier people may eat more legumes. Not about edamame.

Why researchers looked

Beans and other legumes are plant protein and fibre foods, so researchers ask whether eating them goes with fewer heart problems.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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Blood pressure

Low certainty

Pooled trials of soy protein supplements in postmenopausal women found a small fall in blood pressure (about 3 mmHg systolic), seen at 25 g a day of soy protein or more. Follow-up studies of pulses link higher intake to less high blood pressure (RR 0.91, very low certainty).

3 studiesSoy protein supplements in the trials; pulses as food in the cohorts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2017 pooled analysis of 12 trials in 1,551 postmenopausal women found soy protein lowered systolic pressure by 3.03 mmHg and diastolic by 0.71 mmHg. Only 25 g a day or more of soy protein (or 100 mg a day or more of isoflavones) showed an effect; smaller amounts showed none. A 2019 umbrella review of cohort studies found hypertension RR 0.91 (0.86 to 0.97), graded very low certainty. NCCIH says soy isoflavones may modestly lower blood pressure.

Results

A small effect for supplement-sized amounts of soy protein in one group (postmenopausal women). It is not a blood pressure treatment, and it was not tested with edamame.

Effect sizes as reported

Systolic -3.03 mmHg (95% CI -5.03 to -1.02); diastolic -0.71 mmHg (-1.26 to -0.16); pulses and hypertension RR 0.91.

Why this rating

Low: randomised trials but one group, supplements not food, and spread between trials; the cohort result is graded very low.

Form and dose studied

Soy protein supplements in the trials; pulses as food in the cohorts.

Who was studied

Postmenopausal women (trials); adults in cohorts.

Limits

Postmenopausal women only. The effective amount in the trials was supplement-sized. Not edamame.

Why researchers looked

Soy protein and isoflavones have been studied for blood pressure, and NCCIH says isoflavones may lead to a modest fall.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established; the trial authors suggest the isoflavones may play a part.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

People taking blood pressure medicine should ask their clinician before big diet changes.

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Menopause symptoms (isoflavones)

Mixed findings

A 2025 pooled analysis of isoflavone studies in perimenopausal women found a small overall symptom benefit, but no significant effect on hot flushes or sweating. NCCIH calls the effect on hot flashes small and not completely consistent.

3 studiesIsoflavone supplements in the studies, not edamame.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

The 2025 analysis (12 studies; 7 studies with 533 women for the overall score) found overall symptoms improved (Hedges g -0.25, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.08). Headache, psychosocial symptoms, palpitation and depression scores also improved, but hot flushes, sweating, insomnia and vasomotor symptoms did not change significantly. The authors say the studies were small. NCCIH (2025 page) says soy isoflavone supplements or soy protein may reduce hot flash frequency and severity, but the effect may be small and results have been inconsistent.

Results

A small, mixed result from supplements. It does not show that eating edamame eases menopause symptoms.

Effect sizes as reported

Overall symptoms g -0.25 (95% CI -0.42 to -0.08); depression g -0.72; hot flushes: no significant effect.

Why this rating

Mixed: small studies, an overall benefit but no significant effect on hot flushes, the symptom most people ask about.

Form and dose studied

Isoflavone supplements in the studies, not edamame.

Who was studied

Perimenopausal women.

Limits

Small studies. Isoflavone preparations, not food. Edamame have less isoflavone than mature soybeans in a laboratory analysis of 30 varieties.

Why researchers looked

Soy isoflavones are plant compounds similar in structure to the hormone estrogen, so they have been tested for menopause symptoms.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Isoflavones are described by NCCIH as similar in structure to estrogen; how they act in the body was not established in the sources read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Isoflavone supplements are concentrated; ask a clinician, especially if you have had a hormone-linked cancer.

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Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational)

Low certainty

In follow-up studies, higher soy intake before a breast cancer diagnosis went with slightly better overall survival; intake after diagnosis was not significantly linked. A large Chinese cohort found no link between moderate soy intake and getting breast cancer.

3 studiesSoy foods and isoflavones as usually eaten, not edamame specifically.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2019 analysis of 12 articles (37,275 women with breast cancer) found pre-diagnosis soy and isoflavone intake linked to overall survival HR 0.84 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.98) but not clearly to breast cancer-specific survival (HR 0.89, 0.74 to 1.07); post-diagnosis links with survival were not significant. Both were linked to less recurrence. The authors call this limited evidence. In the China Kadoorie Biobank (over 300,000 women, 2,289 breast cancers), the top versus bottom quarter of isoflavone intake gave RR 1.00 (0.81 to 1.22), while a meta-analysis found each 10 mg a day linked to 3% lower risk. NCCIH says observational studies link higher soy intake with lower breast cancer risk in Asian and Asian-American women, and that soy supplements have not been shown to reduce risk.

Results

Mixed and observational. It does not show that eating soy prevents or treats breast cancer, and no abstract read links soy food to higher risk.

Effect sizes as reported

Pre-diagnosis overall survival HR 0.84; cohort RR 1.00 for moderate intake; meta-analysis 3% lower risk per 10 mg a day of isoflavones.

Why this rating

Low: observational studies with mixed results, soy in general rather than edamame, and an agency note that supplements have not been shown to help.

Form and dose studied

Soy foods and isoflavones as usually eaten, not edamame specifically.

Who was studied

Women, mostly in Asian and Asian-American populations; women with breast cancer for the survival results.

Limits

Observational. Soy intake in many cohorts is low. People with breast cancer should ask their oncology team about soy supplements.

Why researchers looked

Isoflavones resemble estrogen, so people ask whether soy foods raise or lower the risk of breast cancer.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

See the Safety tab for soy supplements and hormone-linked cancers.

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Living longer (soy, observational)

Low certainty

In follow-up studies, higher soy intake was linked to fewer deaths from cancer (RR 0.88) and from cardiovascular disease (RR 0.85). Soy protein alone was not significantly linked to all-cause or cardiovascular deaths.

1 studiesSoy foods and nutrients as eaten.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2019 analysis of 23 prospective studies (330,826 people) found soy and soy products linked to cancer deaths RR 0.88 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.99) and cardiovascular deaths RR 0.85 (0.72 to 0.99). The highest isoflavone intake group had a 10% lower risk of dying from any cause. Soy protein was not significantly linked to all-cause or cardiovascular deaths.

Results

A modest link in observational studies of soy in general. It cannot show cause, and edamame were not analysed on their own.

Effect sizes as reported

Cancer deaths RR 0.88; cardiovascular deaths RR 0.85; all-cause deaths 10% lower in the top isoflavone group.

Why this rating

Low: observational, with differences between groups of people who eat more or less soy.

Form and dose studied

Soy foods and nutrients as eaten.

Who was studied

Adults in cohort studies.

Limits

Observational. Not edamame specifically.

Why researchers looked

Soy foods are a large part of some diets, so researchers compare how long people with high and low soy intake live.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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Male hormones (a concern, no effect found)

Moderate certainty

A 2021 pooled analysis of 41 clinical studies found that soy protein or isoflavone intake did not change testosterone, estradiol or estrone in men, whatever the dose or study length.

1 studiesSoy foods, soy protein and isoflavone extracts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

The 2021 analysis of 41 studies (total testosterone measured in 1,753 men, free testosterone in 752, estradiol in 1,000, estrone in 239) found no significant effect of soy protein or isoflavones on total or free testosterone, estradiol, estrone or sex hormone binding globulin. Subgroups by isoflavone dose and by study length also showed no effect.

Results

Reassuring for hormone levels, but it measured blood hormones, not fertility or breast tissue, and it used soy protein, foods and extracts, not edamame.

Effect sizes as reported

No significant change in total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol or estrone.

Why this rating

Moderate that hormone levels do not change: pooled clinical studies with a consistent finding, but not edamame and an author linked to a soy-related company.

Form and dose studied

Soy foods, soy protein and isoflavone extracts.

Who was studied

Adult men.

Limits

Hormone levels only. One author is affiliated with Nutrition Matters, Inc. Funding is not stated in the abstract.

Why researchers looked

Because isoflavones resemble estrogen, people worry that soy could feminize men, so researchers measured hormone levels.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established; the analysis found no hormone change.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

⁸

Bone density after menopause (agency summary)

Low certainty

NCCIH says soy isoflavones probably have a beneficial effect on bone density in postmenopausal women.

1 studiesIsoflavones (studies were of isoflavone preparations; edamame were no…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

We read only the NCCIH summary statement. The reviews it cites were not opened, and no figures were read.

Results

A short agency statement about isoflavones, not edamame.

Effect sizes as reported

No figures read.

Why this rating

Low: an agency summary statement only; the underlying studies were not re-read.

Form and dose studied

Isoflavones (studies were of isoflavone preparations; edamame were not the tested food).

Who was studied

Postmenopausal women.

Limits

No data were read for this entry.

Why researchers looked

Isoflavones resemble estrogen, which affects bone, so they have been tested for bone loss after menopause.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established in the source read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

¹⁸

Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary)

Not enough evidence

NCCIH says people who eat diets high in soy may have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and that it is uncertain whether soy products improve blood sugar control in people who already have it. A pulse analysis of cohort studies found no link between pulses and diabetes.

2 studiesSoy foods in general; pulses in the cohort analysis.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

We read the NCCIH statements and the 2019 umbrella review abstract, which found no association between pulses (with or without other legumes) and diabetes incidence (graded very low certainty). Underlying soy studies were not opened.

Results

Unclear and not tested with edamame.

Effect sizes as reported

No effect sizes read for soy and diabetes.

Why this rating

Insufficient: an agency statement that soy diets may lower risk, set against a pulse cohort analysis that found no link.

Form and dose studied

Soy foods in general; pulses in the cohort analysis.

Who was studied

Adults.

Limits

No soy-specific figures read. Not edamame.

Why researchers looked

Soy foods are slowly digested protein and fibre foods, so researchers ask about blood sugar.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established in the sources read.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

^{18 10}

Obesity (pulses, observational)

Very low certainty

In follow-up studies, higher pulse intake went with less obesity (RR 0.87), graded very low certainty. Soybeans were not separated out.

1 studiesPulses and legumes as eaten.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2019 umbrella review of cohort studies found the highest pulse intake linked to obesity incidence RR 0.87 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.94), graded very low certainty.

Results

A small link that cannot show cause, for pulses in general.

Effect sizes as reported

Obesity incidence RR 0.87 (0.81 to 0.94).

Why this rating

Very low: observational and graded very low by the reviewers.

Form and dose studied

Pulses and legumes as eaten.

Who was studied

Adults in cohort studies.

Limits

Observational. Not edamame.

Why researchers looked

Pulses are filling foods with protein and fibre, so researchers ask about weight.

Traditional use

Edamame are eaten steamed or boiled, in the pod or shelled, as a snack, side dish or in salads. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

¹⁰

Connections to the rest of health

How Edamame (Green Soybeans) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Balanced Nutrition		High certainty	Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content): Cooked, shelled edamame have 12.4 g of protein, 4.2 g of fibre and 111 micrograms of folate per 100 g, by USDA data. One cup (180 g) has about 22 g of protein, 7.6 g of fibre and 200 micrograms of folate.	^{22 21}
Cholesterol Balance	Demonstrated clinical effect	Moderate certainty	Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein): In pooled trials, soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol by about 4.8 mg/dL (roughly 3 to 4%). The trials used soy protein in many forms, not edamame in particular.	^{1 18}
Heart Health	Demonstrated clinical effect	Moderate certainty	Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein): In pooled trials, soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol by about 4.8 mg/dL (roughly 3 to 4%). The trials used soy protein in many forms, not edamame in particular.	^{1 18}
Heart Health		Low certainty	Heart disease (legumes, observational): People who ate the most legumes had slightly less heart disease in follow-up studies (about 6% less cardiovascular disease and 10% less coronary heart disease), but no difference in stroke. Soybeans were not separated out.	^{5 10}
Blood Pressure Support		Low certainty	Blood pressure: Pooled trials of soy protein supplements in postmenopausal women found a small fall in blood pressure (about 3 mmHg systolic), seen at 25 g a day of soy protein or more. Follow-up studies of pulses link higher intake to less high blood pressure (RR 0.91, very low certainty).	^{3 10 18}
Heart Health		Low certainty	Blood pressure: Pooled trials of soy protein supplements in postmenopausal women found a small fall in blood pressure (about 3 mmHg systolic), seen at 25 g a day of soy protein or more. Follow-up studies of pulses link higher intake to less high blood pressure (RR 0.91, very low certainty).	^{3 10 18}
Womens Wellness		Mixed findings	Menopause symptoms (isoflavones): A 2025 pooled analysis of isoflavone studies in perimenopausal women found a small overall symptom benefit, but no significant effect on hot flushes or sweating. NCCIH calls the effect on hot flashes small and not completely consistent.	^{4 18 12}
Menopause Support		Mixed findings	Menopause symptoms (isoflavones): A 2025 pooled analysis of isoflavone studies in perimenopausal women found a small overall symptom benefit, but no significant effect on hot flushes or sweating. NCCIH calls the effect on hot flashes small and not completely consistent.	^{4 18 12}
Womens Wellness		Low certainty	Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational): In follow-up studies, higher soy intake before a breast cancer diagnosis went with slightly better overall survival; intake after diagnosis was not significantly linked. A large Chinese cohort found no link between moderate soy intake and getting breast cancer.	^{7 11 18}
Healthy Aging		Low certainty	Living longer (soy, observational): In follow-up studies, higher soy intake was linked to fewer deaths from cancer (RR 0.88) and from cardiovascular disease (RR 0.85). Soy protein alone was not significantly linked to all-cause or cardiovascular deaths.	⁶
Mens Wellness	Demonstrated clinical effect	Moderate certainty	Male hormones (a concern, no effect found): A 2021 pooled analysis of 41 clinical studies found that soy protein or isoflavone intake did not change testosterone, estradiol or estrone in men, whatever the dose or study length.	⁸
Healthy Aging		Low certainty	Bone density after menopause (agency summary): NCCIH says soy isoflavones probably have a beneficial effect on bone density in postmenopausal women.	¹⁸
Blood Sugar Balance		Not enough evidence	Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary): NCCIH says people who eat diets high in soy may have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and that it is uncertain whether soy products improve blood sugar control in people who already have it. A pulse analysis of cohort studies found no link between pulses and diabetes.	^{18 10}
Weight Management		Very low certainty	Obesity (pulses, observational): In follow-up studies, higher pulse intake went with less obesity (RR 0.87), graded very low certainty. Soybeans were not separated out.	¹⁰

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nutrition	Biological association	High certainty	Studied for: Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content)	^{22 21}
Cardiovascular System	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Studied for: Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein) Studied for: Heart disease (legumes, observational)	^{1 18 5 10 3}
Endocrine System	Biological association	Mixed findings	Studied for: Menopause symptoms (isoflavones) Studied for: Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational)	^{4 18 12 7 11 8}
Whole Body	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Living longer (soy, observational)	⁶
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Bone density after menopause (agency summary)	¹⁸
Metabolism Weight	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary) Studied for: Obesity (pulses, observational)	^{18 10}

E. Health conditions

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Food allergy	Adverse effect or risk	Documented risk	Soybeans are a major food allergen named by the US FDA; pooled European estimates give 0.5% self-reported and 0.3% challenge-verified soy allergy. Preparation or compound: Soy protein in edamame	^{13 15 9}
High cholesterol		Small effect for soy protein, not edamame	Soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL by about 4.8 mg/dL in pooled trials. Preparation or compound: Soy protein	¹

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
LDL cholesterol	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Measured in trials: lowered slightly. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{1 18}
Total cholesterol	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Measured in trials: lowered slightly. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹
Systolic blood pressure	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered slightly. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³
Diastolic blood pressure	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered slightly. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³
Total testosterone (men)	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁸
Estradiol (men)	Biological association	Moderate certainty	Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁸
Menopausal symptom score	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: lowered slightly. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Plant protein	Preliminary mechanism	Human	Edamame are a protein-rich legume; soy protein in place of other protein lowers LDL slightly.	^{22 1}
Isoflavones	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Estrogen-like plant compounds; lower in edamame varieties than in tofu varieties in one laboratory study.	^{12 18}
Potassium	Preliminary mechanism	Human	Edamame contain potassium; relevant to kidney diets.	^{16 22}
Vitamin K	Preliminary mechanism	Human	Frozen edamame contain vitamin K; relevant to warfarin users.	^{21 17}

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Plant protein	Biological association	Human	Soy is a protein-rich legume; NCCIH says soy protein in place of other proteins may lower cholesterol to a small extent. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{22 21 18 1}
Dietary fibre	Biological association	Composition	A fibre food; the soluble and insoluble split was not read. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{22 21}
Folate	Biological association	Composition	A B vitamin; content only, no trial of edamame read. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{22 21}
Isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, glycitein)	Biological association	In vitro	NCCIH describes isoflavones as compounds similar in structure to the hormone estrogen. Laboratory chemistry does not show what edamame do in the body. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{12 18}
Potassium	Biological association	Composition	Relevant to people on a potassium limit. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{22 21 16}
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	Biological association	Composition	Relevant to people on warfarin. Preparation or compound: Seed	^{21 17}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Hormonal1 Other1

The evidence

The research centre for Edamame (Green Soybeans). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Plant protein, fibre and folate (nutrient content) 2 studies High certainty Cholesterol (soy protein in place of other protein) 2 studies Moderate certainty Heart disease (legumes, observational) 2 studies Low certainty Blood pressure 3 studies Low certainty Menopause symptoms (isoflavones) 3 studies Mixed findings Breast cancer risk and survival (soy, observational) 3 studies Low certainty Living longer (soy, observational) 1 study Low certainty Male hormones (a concern, no effect found) 1 study Moderate certainty Bone density after menopause (agency summary) 1 study Low certainty Type 2 diabetes risk and blood sugar (agency summary) 2 studies Not enough evidence Obesity (pulses, observational) 1 study Very low certainty

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing edamame summary, re-checked nutrition against USDA FoodData Central data, read the NCCIH, FDA, MedlinePlus, NHS and NIDDK pages and re-read PubMed abstracts for reviews and trials. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.

Study library: every study we checked 23

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Blanco Mejia 2019 A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults. J Nutr · PMID 31006811 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	Adults with baseline LDL 110 to 201 mg/dL; 41 trials gave LDL data (43 trials in all, from 46 identified by the US FDA)	Soy protein compared with non-soy protein Soy protein (not edamame) Median 25 g a day (trial detail, not advice) Median 6 weeks · vs Non-soy protein	Soy protein lowered LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol compared with non-soy protein. About 75% of individual trials showed an LDL fall, but only a minority were individually significant. The authors put the average LDL fall at about 3 to 4%. LDL -4.76 mg/dL; total cholesterol -6.41 mg/dL (LDL -6.71 to -2.80 mg/dL (I2 = 55%); total cholesterol -9.30 to -3.52 mg/dL (I2 = 74%)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol Limitations: Soy protein in many forms, not edamame. Trials were short. A small average change. No dose-response effect was found. Funding and conflicts: Registered NCT03468127. Funding is not stated in the abstract. One author is affiliated with the Soy Nutrition Institute, so the review has an industry-linked author. Registration: NCT03468127 Read: abstract
Gatta 2023 Interference or Noninterference Between Soy and Levothyroxine: That Is the Question. A Narrative Review of Literature. Endocr Pract · PMID 37633413 · DOI	Narrative review	Case reports, case series and a few trials	Soy products and soy isoflavones taken near levothyroxine (thyroid hormone tablets and liquid) Soy products and isoflavone preparations Studies to November 2022 · vs Levothyroxine taken without soy	The few data, mainly case reports, hint that soy products may interfere with levothyroxine tablets. The only prospective randomised crossover study found no difference when soy isoflavones and levothyroxine were taken together. Data on liquid forms were too scarce to conclude. The authors judged any effect likely small in practice. No pooled effect; case reports against one crossover trial with no difference (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Absorption of levothyroxine Limitations: A narrative review, not a systematic one. Mostly case reports. Edamame as food was not named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: The authors declared no interests. Read: abstract
Kou 2017 Effect of soybean protein on blood pressure in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct · PMID 28675204 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	1551 12 randomised trials in postmenopausal women	Soy protein supplementation (some trials of isoflavones) Soy protein as a supplement, not edamame Subgroup that worked: 25 g a day or more of soy protein (trial detail, not advice) Not given in the abstract · vs Control without soy protein	Soy protein lowered blood pressure a little on average. The fall was only seen at 25 g a day of soy protein or more (or 100 mg a day of isoflavones or more); lower amounts showed no effect. Systolic -3.03 mmHg; diastolic -0.71 mmHg (25 g a day or more: systolic -4.62, diastolic -1.63) (Systolic -5.03 to -1.02; diastolic -1.26 to -0.16) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Limitations: Postmenopausal women only. Soy protein supplements, not whole edamame. The authors say more high-quality trials are needed. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Luan 2025 Effects of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ · PMID 40718787 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	12 studies of perimenopausal women (7 studies, 533 women, for the overall symptom score)	Soy isoflavone preparations Isoflavone supplements (not edamame) Not given in the abstract Not given in the abstract · vs Comparison groups in each trial	Isoflavones gave a small overall improvement in menopausal symptoms and in headache, psychosocial symptoms, palpitation and depression scores. There was no significant effect on hot flushes, excessive sweating, insomnia or vasomotor symptoms. The authors warn the studies were small. Overall symptoms Hedges g -0.25; depression g -0.72; hot flushes: no significant effect (Overall -0.42 to -0.08) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Menopausal symptom scores, including hot flushes and sweating Limitations: Small studies and few participants. Supplements, not food. Hot flushes, the main symptom people ask about, showed no significant effect. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract
Mendes 2023 Intake of legumes and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · PMID 36411221 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	26 observational studies (21 prospective cohorts, 5 case-control)	Higher versus lower legume intake Legumes as a group (soybeans not analysed separately in the abstract) Dose-response analysis: benefit levelled off at about 400 g a week (an observation, not advice) Cohort follow-up · vs Lowest intake group	Highest legume intake was linked to a little less cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, and no difference for stroke. CVD RR 0.94; coronary heart disease RR 0.90; stroke RR 1.00 (CVD 0.89 to 0.99; CHD 0.85 to 0.96; stroke 0.93 to 1.08) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke Limitations: Observational, so it shows association, not cause. Legumes as a group, not edamame or soy alone. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42021247565 Read: abstract
Nachvak 2019 Soy, Soy Isoflavones, and Protein Intake in Relation to Mortality from All Causes, Cancers, and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. J Acad Nutr Diet · PMID 31278047 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	330826 23 prospective cohort studies (330,826 people)	Higher versus lower intake of soy, soy isoflavones and soy protein Soy foods and nutrients as eaten (not edamame specifically) Highest versus lowest intake; dose-response by 10 mg a day of isoflavones or 5 g a day of soy protein Cohort follow-up · vs Lowest intake group	Higher soy intake was linked to lower deaths from cancer and from cardiovascular disease. Soy protein alone was not significantly linked to all-cause or cardiovascular deaths. The highest isoflavone intake group had 10% lower all-cause mortality. Cancer deaths RR 0.88; cardiovascular deaths 0.85 for soy and soy products; all-cause mortality 10% lower for highest isoflavone intake (Cancer deaths 0.79 to 0.99; cardiovascular deaths 0.72 to 0.99) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Death from any cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease Limitations: Observational, so no proof of cause. People who eat more soy may differ in other ways. Soy in general, not edamame. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Qiu 2019 Soy and isoflavones consumption and breast cancer survival and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr · PMID 30382332 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	37275 12 articles on women with breast cancer (37,275 women)	Soy and isoflavone consumption before or after a breast cancer diagnosis Soy foods and isoflavones as eaten (not edamame specifically) Highest versus lowest intake Observational follow-up · vs Lowest intake group	Before diagnosis, higher soy intake was linked to slightly better overall survival (more clearly in postmenopausal women) but not clearly to breast cancer-specific survival. After diagnosis, the links with survival were not significant. Both were linked to lower recurrence. The authors call the evidence limited. Pre-diagnosis overall survival HR 0.84; pre-diagnosis breast cancer-specific survival HR 0.89 (not significant); post-diagnosis overall survival HR 0.80 (not significant) (Pre-diagnosis overall survival 0.71 to 0.98; breast cancer-specific 0.74 to 1.07; post-diagnosis overall survival 0.62 to 1.04) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival, recurrence Limitations: Observational. Studies only to January 2018. Soy in general, not edamame. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Reed 2021 Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies. Reprod Toxicol · PMID 33383165 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	1753 41 clinical studies in adult men (total testosterone measured in 1,753 men)	Soy foods, soy protein or isoflavone extracts Soy foods, soy protein and isoflavone extracts No effect found at any isoflavone dose No effect found at any study length · vs Control groups in each study	Across the clinical studies, soy protein or isoflavone intake did not significantly change total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol or estrone in men, whatever the dose or study length. No significant effect on any outcome measured (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total and free testosterone, estradiol, estrone, sex hormone binding globulin Limitations: Hormone levels, not fertility or other outcomes. Includes soy protein and extracts as well as foods. Not edamame specifically. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. One author is affiliated with Nutrition Matters, Inc. Read: abstract
Spolidoro 2023 Prevalence estimates of eight big food allergies in Europe: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy · PMID 37405695 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	93 studies from Europe, all ages	Food allergy prevalence for eight foods including soy Soy (all forms) Studies from 2000 to 2021	Pooled lifetime self-reported soy allergy was 0.5%; food-challenge-verified soy allergy was 0.3%. Both were lower than cow milk, egg and peanut figures. Soy self-reported lifetime prevalence 0.5%; challenge-verified 0.3% (Self-reported 0.3 to 0.7%; challenge-verified 0.1 to 0.4%) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Self-reported and food-challenge-verified prevalence Limitations: Europe only; mostly moderate risk of bias; soy in general, not edamame. Prevalence in other regions may differ. Funding and conflicts: Registered PROSPERO CRD42021266657. Funding is not stated in the abstract. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42021266657 Read: abstract
Viguiliouk 2019 Associations between Dietary Pulses Alone or with Other Legumes and Cardiometabolic Disease Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Adv Nutr · PMID 31728500 · DOI	Umbrella review and cohort meta analysis	28 unique prospective cohort studies, with 83,284 hypertension cases and 8,125 obesity cases among the outcomes	Higher versus lower intake of dietary pulses, with or without other legumes Pulses and legumes as food (soybeans not analysed separately in the abstract) Not given in the abstract Cohort follow-up · vs Lowest intake group	Higher pulse intake went with less cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity, but not with heart attack, stroke or diabetes. Certainty was graded low for CVD and very low for the rest. CVD RR 0.92; CHD 0.90; hypertension 0.91; obesity 0.87; no association with MI, stroke or diabetes (CVD 0.85 to 0.99; CHD 0.83 to 0.99; hypertension 0.86 to 0.97; obesity 0.81 to 0.94) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, stroke Limitations: Observational. GRADE low for CVD and very low for CHD, hypertension and obesity. Pulses and legumes as a group. Funding and conflicts: Registered NCT03555734. Funding is not stated in the abstract. Registration: NCT03555734 Read: abstract
Wei 2020 Soy intake and breast cancer risk: a prospective study of 300,000 Chinese women and a dose-response meta-analysis. Eur J Epidemiol · PMID 31754945 · DOI	Cohort and dose response meta analysis	300000 Over 300,000 Chinese women aged 30 to 79 (China Kadoorie Biobank) followed about 10 years; 2,289 developed breast cancer; plus a meta-analysis of prospective studies	Habitual soy intake from food, measured as soy isoflavones Soy foods as eaten Mean intake 9.4 mg of isoflavones a day; top quarter about 19.1 mg a day versus bottom quarter 4.5 mg a day (study detail, not advice) 10 years of follow-up · vs Lowest intake quarter	In the large Chinese cohort, moderate soy intake was not linked to breast cancer risk (RR 1.00). In the meta-analysis of prospective studies, each extra 10 mg a day of isoflavones was linked to 3% lower risk. Cohort top versus bottom quarter RR 1.00; meta-analysis 3% lower risk per 10 mg a day (Cohort 0.81 to 1.22; meta-analysis 1% to 5% lower) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Breast cancer risk Limitations: Observational, so no proof of cause. Soy foods in general. Intake in the cohort was moderate. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts of interest declared. Read: abstract
Wu 2004 LC/UV/ESI-MS analysis of isoflavones in Edamame and Tofu soybeans. J Agric Food Chem · PMID 15137811 · DOI	Laboratory analysis n/a	30 soybean varieties (edamame types and tofu types)	Chemical analysis of isoflavones Soybean seeds: immature (edamame) and mature (tofu) varieties	Total isoflavones ranged from 0.02 to 0.12% in the edamame varieties, which are harvested while the seeds are immature, and from 0.16 to 0.25% in the tofu varieties, harvested when the seeds are mature. Edamame varieties 0.02 to 0.12% total isoflavones; tofu varieties 0.16 to 0.25% (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total isoflavones (as aglycones: daidzein, genistein, glycitein) Limitations: Laboratory chemistry of 30 varieties. It does not tell us what edamame does in the body. Published in 2004; US varieties tested. Funding and conflicts: The PubMed record lists US government and non-US government research support. Read: abstract
s-fda-allergens U.S. FDA: Food Allergies · Source	Regulator n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-gbif-glycine-max GBIF Backbone: Glycine max (L.) Merr. (usageKey 5359660) · Source	Reference database n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-medlineplus-foodallergy MedlinePlus: Food allergy · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-medlineplus-potassium MedlinePlus: Potassium in diet · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-medlineplus-vitk MedlinePlus: Vitamin K in diet · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-nccih-soy NCCIH: Soy: Usefulness and Safety · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-nhs-5aday NHS: 5 A Day, what counts? · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-niddk-gas NIDDK: Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Gas in the Digestive Tract · Source	Health agency n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-usda-fdc-168410 USDA FoodData Central: Edamame, frozen, unprepared (FDC 168410) · Source	Reference database n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-usda-fdc-169283 USDA FoodData Central: Soybeans, green, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (FDC 169283) · Source	Reference database n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
s-usda-fdc-174270 USDA FoodData Central: Soybeans, mature seeds, raw (FDC 174270) · Source	Reference database n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text

What we do not know yet

No trial that fed people edamame was found for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, menopause, cancer or heart disease; the trials used soy protein or isoflavone supplements.
The follow-up studies cover soy or legumes as a group; an edamame-only result was not in the abstracts read.
Bone density and type 2 diabetes are summarised only from the NCCIH page; the studies behind it were not opened.
FODMAP rating, choking risk for young children, infant feeding, raw soybean toxins, oxalate, purines, pesticide residues, heavy metals and Listeria on frozen edamame were not researched.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Hormonal 1

●

Estradiol (men)

No clear change in trials

The main form of estrogen, measured in the blood.

Moderate certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Because isoflavones resemble estrogen, researchers checked whether estrogen rose.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

No change in blood estrogen was found in men.

Safety implication

None found.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁸	No significant effect of soy protein or isoflavones on estradiol or estrone	1,000 men for estradiol; 239 for estrone	Soy foods, soy protein or isoflavone extracts

⁸

Metabolic 2

●

LDL cholesterol

Lowered slightly in trials

The 'bad' cholesterol carried in the blood. Higher levels are linked to more heart disease.

Moderate certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

It is the usual blood marker used in diet trials for heart risk.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A small average fall for soy protein in place of other protein. Not tested with edamame.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	LDL -4.76 mg/dL (95% CI -6.71 to -2.80), about 3 to 4%	Adults in 41 trials with LDL data	Soy protein (median 25 g a day) versus non-soy protein, median 6 weeks

^{1 18}

●

Total cholesterol

Lowered slightly in trials

All the cholesterol carried in the blood.

Moderate certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A routine blood test used as a rough guide to heart risk.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A small average fall; large spread between trials (I2 74%).

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	Total cholesterol -6.41 mg/dL (95% CI -9.30 to -3.52)	Adults in 43 trials	Soy protein (median 25 g a day) versus non-soy protein, median 6 weeks

Other 4

●

Systolic blood pressure

Lowered slightly in trials

The top number of a blood pressure reading, the pressure when the heart beats.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

High blood pressure raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A small change in one group of women, with supplement-sized amounts of soy protein.

Safety implication

People on blood pressure medicine should ask their clinician before big diet changes.

Study	Result	People	Product
³	Systolic -3.03 mmHg (95% CI -5.03 to -1.02); -4.62 mmHg at 25 g a day or more of soy protein	1,551 postmenopausal women in 12 trials	Soy protein supplements versus controls

●

Diastolic blood pressure

Lowered slightly in trials

The bottom number of a blood pressure reading, the pressure between beats.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used with systolic pressure to judge blood pressure.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A very small change.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
³	Diastolic -0.71 mmHg (95% CI -1.26 to -0.16); -1.63 mmHg at 25 g a day or more	1,551 postmenopausal women in 12 trials	Soy protein supplements versus controls

●

Total testosterone (men)

No clear change in trials

The main male sex hormone measured in the blood.

Moderate certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to check whether soy changes male hormone levels.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

No change in blood hormone levels was found.

Safety implication

Reassuring for hormone levels; fertility was not assessed.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁸	No significant effect of soy protein or isoflavones on total testosterone	1,753 men in the analysis	Soy foods, soy protein or isoflavone extracts, any dose or duration

⁸

●

Menopausal symptom score

Lowered slightly in trials

A questionnaire score of menopause symptoms such as headache, mood and palpitations.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

It is how trials judge whether symptoms improve.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A small overall improvement, but no significant effect on hot flushes.

Safety implication

Supplements are concentrated; ask a clinician.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴	Overall symptoms Hedges g -0.25 (95% CI -0.42 to -0.08); hot flushes and sweating not significantly changed	533 women in 7 studies	Soy isoflavone preparations

⁴

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 5

Soy allergy is real and can be severe. Soybeans are one of the nine major food allergens named by the US FDA, and MedlinePlus lists soy among common food allergies, mostly in children. In Europe, pooled studies put self-reported lifetime soy allergy at 0.5% and food-challenge-verified soy allergy at 0.3%. For wheezing, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or any serious whole-body reaction after eating, call 911 or your local emergency number. Edamame are soybeans, so they are not safe for someone with soy allergy. Authoritative guidance ^{13 15 9}
Soy and thyroid tablets (levothyroxine). A 2023 review found a few case reports of soy products interfering with levothyroxine tablets, one randomised crossover study with no difference, and too little data on liquid forms. The authors judged any effect likely small in practice. If you take thyroid medicine, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about timing; do not change a medicine on your own. Narrative review ²
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. NCCIH says soy in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods may be unsafe in pregnancy, and that little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding. That caution is about supplement-sized or concentrated soy rather than edamame as an ordinary food. Ask your doctor or midwife. Authoritative guidance ¹⁸
Gas, bloating and other digestive effects. NCCIH lists bloating, constipation, diarrhea and nausea as possible side effects of soy. NIDDK says bacteria break down some carbohydrates and make gas, and lists legumes (beans, peas and lentils) among foods that may lead to excess gas. Edamame are not named by NIDDK. Authoritative guidance ^{18 20}
Kidney disease: potassium. USDA lists 539 mg of potassium per 100 g of boiled, shelled green soybeans. MedlinePlus says people with kidney problems, particularly those on dialysis, should not eat too many potassium-rich foods and names soy among vegetable sources. Ask your kidney team or dietitian. Authoritative guidance ^{22 16}

Side effects 2

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Allergic reactions to soy, from itching and hives to anaphylaxis Prevalence figures are for soy in general and for Europe, not for edamame or other regions.	Europe, all ages: 0.5% self-reported lifetime and 0.3% food-challenge-verified (pooled estimates); 93 studies	can be severe (anaphylaxis) Not given in the sources read.	Systematic review ^{9 13 15}
Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea NCCIH lists these as possible side effects of soy.	Not given	mild to moderate Not given in the sources read.	Authoritative guidance ^{18 20}

Liver

No liver injury from eating edamame was found in the sources read. A liver-safety source such as LiverTox was not searched for a food.

How often. No frequency was found.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Edamame (Green Soybeans) supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 3

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone tablets) prescription	Possible reduced absorption of the tablet when taken with soy products; not established.	A narrative review found mainly case reports, one randomised crossover study with no difference, and too little data on liquid forms. The authors thought any effect likely has little clinical impact. Edamame as food were not named in the abstract.	Case reports and review Low certainty ²	Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about timing. Do not change a medicine on your own.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI antidepressants) prescription	NCCIH says interactions have been reported with soy products that contain a lot of tyramine, such as tofu and soy sauce, causing dangerously high blood pressure.	NCCIH names tofu and soy sauce, not edamame. The tyramine level of edamame was not found in the sources read.	Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence ¹⁸	If you take an MAOI, ask your pharmacist about edamame before eating them regularly.
Warfarin (blood thinner) and vitamin K prescription	Vitamin K in food can change how warfarin works; MedlinePlus says to keep vitamin K steady from day to day.	USDA lists 31.4 micrograms of vitamin K per 100 g of frozen, unprepared edamame and no vitamin K value for the boiled item. MedlinePlus does not name soybeans on its page. We read no study of edamame and warfarin.	Theoretical Not enough evidence ^{17 21}	Ask your care team before adding edamame regularly if you take warfarin.

Who should check first 2

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Known or suspected soy allergy	Avoid edamame and other soy foods unless an allergist has said otherwise. Read labels: US law requires soy to be named on packaged foods. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call emergency services.	Authoritative guidance ^{13 15}
Kidney disease with a potassium limit, especially on dialysis	Ask your kidney team or dietitian how edamame fit your limits.	Authoritative guidance ^{16 22}

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No toxicity from steamed or boiled edamame as ordinary food was found in the sources read. Raw or undercooked bean toxins (such as lectins) and trypsin inhibitors were not researched, so no statement is made about eating edamame raw. Follow the package heating directions.

Animal. Not reviewed.

Human doses studied. NCCIH says soy protein supplements have been used safely in research for up to 16 weeks and concentrated isoflavone extracts for up to 6 months. These are supplements, not edamame.

Overdose response. Not found.

Genotoxicity. Not researched.

Toxic or hazardous parts. Not researched for soybeans. Edamame are the green bean eaten from the pod; the pod itself is usually not eaten.

No contamination study of edamame (pesticides, heavy metals, mould or Listeria on frozen vegetables) was read for this page.

Body	Action	Date
U.S. FDA (United States)	Names soybeans among the nine major food allergens; packaged foods must name the food source of a major allergen on the label. source	Page read 2026-10-26 (date not shown)
NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) (United States)	Soy in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods may be unsafe in pregnancy; little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding; MAOI interaction reports for high-tyramine soy products (tofu, soy sauce); side effects may include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea. source	Page read 2026-10-26 (date not shown)
MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States)	Food allergy: call 911 or the local emergency number for serious or whole-body reactions, particularly wheezing or difficulty breathing; use prescribed epinephrine as soon as possible. source	Review date 2024-10-29

When to get medical help

Wheezing, trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, widespread hives, repeated vomiting or collapse after eating edamame (possible anaphylaxis): use prescribed epinephrine as directed and call 911 or your local emergency number
Any serious or whole-body reaction after eating a food: call 911 or your local emergency number

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are edamame good for?

They are a source of plant protein, fibre and folate. Other health claims come from studies of soy protein, isoflavone supplements, or soy and legumes in general, not from trials of edamame.

^{22 21 18}

Do edamame lower cholesterol?

Possibly a little, through their soy protein. Pooled trials found soy protein in place of other protein lowered LDL cholesterol by about 4.8 mg/dL (roughly 3 to 4%). Those trials did not test edamame, and the effect is small.

^{1 18}

Are edamame good for the heart or blood pressure?

Follow-up studies link more legumes to slightly less heart disease and high blood pressure, but they cannot prove cause and are not about edamame. Soy protein supplements lowered blood pressure a little in postmenopausal women in trials.

^{5 10 3}

Can you be allergic to edamame?

Yes. Soybeans are one of the nine major food allergens named by the US FDA. Pooled European studies put challenge-verified soy allergy at 0.3% of people. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call emergency services.

^{13 15 9}

Are edamame the same as tofu, soy milk or soy supplements?

No. Edamame are the young green beans eaten whole. Tofu, soy milk and soy sauce are made from mature soybeans, and supplements are concentrated protein or isoflavones. Most health trials used the concentrated forms.

^{18 1}

Do the isoflavones in edamame act like estrogen?

Isoflavones are plant compounds that NCCIH describes as similar in structure to estrogen. A 2021 analysis of 41 clinical studies found no change in testosterone, estradiol or estrone in men. Edamame varieties had lower isoflavone levels than tofu varieties in one laboratory study.

^{18 8 12}

Does soy raise or lower breast cancer risk?

Observational studies are mixed and limited. Soy intake before diagnosis was linked to slightly better overall survival, and a large Chinese cohort found no link between moderate soy intake and getting breast cancer. NCCIH says soy supplements have not been shown to reduce risk. People with breast cancer should ask their oncology team.

^{7 11 18}

Do edamame help with menopause symptoms?

Not shown. Isoflavone supplements gave a small overall improvement in a 2025 analysis, but no significant effect on hot flushes or sweating. No trial tested edamame.

^{4 18}

Can I eat edamame if I take thyroid medicine?

Ask your prescriber or pharmacist. A 2023 review found a few case reports of soy affecting levothyroxine tablets, one crossover study with no difference, and too little data on liquid forms. The authors thought any effect was likely small.

Are edamame safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?

NCCIH says soy in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods may be unsafe in pregnancy, and little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding. No edamame-specific warning was found. Ask your doctor or midwife.

¹⁸

Do edamame cause gas?

They can. NCCIH lists bloating, constipation, diarrhea and nausea as possible side effects of soy, and NIDDK lists legumes among foods that may cause gas.

^{18 20}

Do edamame interact with medicines?

Possibly. NCCIH reports MAOI interactions with high-tyramine soy products such as tofu and soy sauce, but does not name edamame. On warfarin, keep vitamin K steady; frozen edamame contain vitamin K. Ask your pharmacist or care team.

^{18 17 21}

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-26
Last substantive update: 2026-10-26
How we research: We started from our existing edamame summary, re-checked nutrition against USDA FoodData Central data, read the NCCIH, FDA, MedlinePlus, NHS and NIDDK pages and re-read PubMed abstracts for reviews and trials. Only abstracts were read for studies. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.

Sources 23

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Blanco Mejia S, Messina M, Li SS, et al.. A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults.. J Nutr. 2019. PMID 31006811. DOI 10.1093/jn/nxz020. (abstract)
Gatta E, Maltese V, Cavadini M, et al.. Interference or Noninterference Between Soy and Levothyroxine: That Is the Question. A Narrative Review of Literature.. Endocr Pract. 2023. PMID 37633413. DOI 10.1016/j.eprac.2023.08.009. (abstract)
Kou T, Wang Q, Cai J, et al.. Effect of soybean protein on blood pressure in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Food Funct. 2017. PMID 28675204. DOI 10.1039/c6fo01845a. (abstract)
Luan H, Liu Q, Guo Y, et al.. Effects of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. PeerJ. 2025. PMID 40718787. DOI 10.7717/peerj.19715. (abstract)
Mendes V, Niforou A, Kasdagli MI, et al.. Intake of legumes and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023. PMID 36411221. DOI 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.10.006. (abstract)
Nachvak SM, Moradi S, Anjom-Shoae J, et al.. Soy, Soy Isoflavones, and Protein Intake in Relation to Mortality from All Causes, Cancers, and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019. PMID 31278047. DOI 10.1016/j.jand.2019.04.011. (abstract)
Qiu S, Jiang C. Soy and isoflavones consumption and breast cancer survival and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Eur J Nutr. 2019. PMID 30382332. DOI 10.1007/s00394-018-1853-4. (abstract)
Reed KE, Camargo J, Hamilton-Reeves J, et al.. Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies.. Reprod Toxicol. 2021. PMID 33383165. DOI 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.12.019. (abstract)
Spolidoro GCI, Ali MM, Amera YT, et al.. Prevalence estimates of eight big food allergies in Europe: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis.. Allergy. 2023. PMID 37405695. DOI 10.1111/all.15801. (abstract)
Viguiliouk E, Glenn AJ, Nishi SK, et al.. Associations between Dietary Pulses Alone or with Other Legumes and Cardiometabolic Disease Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.. Adv Nutr. 2019. PMID 31728500. DOI 10.1093/advances/nmz113. (abstract)
Wei Y, Lv J, Guo Y, et al.. Soy intake and breast cancer risk: a prospective study of 300,000 Chinese women and a dose-response meta-analysis.. Eur J Epidemiol. 2020. PMID 31754945. DOI 10.1007/s10654-019-00585-4. (abstract)
Wu Q, Wang M, Sciarappa WJ, et al.. LC/UV/ESI-MS analysis of isoflavones in Edamame and Tofu soybeans.. J Agric Food Chem. 2004. PMID 15137811. DOI 10.1021/jf035053p. (abstract)
. U.S. FDA: Food Allergies. . . (full-text)
. GBIF Backbone: Glycine max (L.) Merr. (usageKey 5359660). . . (full-text)
. MedlinePlus: Food allergy. . . (full-text)
. MedlinePlus: Potassium in diet. . . (full-text)
. MedlinePlus: Vitamin K in diet. . . (full-text)
. NCCIH: Soy: Usefulness and Safety. . . (full-text)
. NHS: 5 A Day, what counts?. . . (full-text)
. NIDDK: Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Gas in the Digestive Tract. . . (full-text)
. USDA FoodData Central: Edamame, frozen, unprepared (FDC 168410). . . (full-text)
. USDA FoodData Central: Soybeans, green, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (FDC 169283). . . (full-text)
. USDA FoodData Central: Soybeans, mature seeds, raw (FDC 174270). . . (full-text)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

A recent packed-on date: very old dried beans cook unevenly
Organic or not, and the country of origin
Whether you want dried or canned
Soak and cook thoroughly; some raw beans are unsafe

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.