Is it safe for pregnant/lactating women to consume soyfoods?
Yes, soyfoods are safe to consume throughout the life cycle. Mothers who consume traditional soyfoods as a normal part of their diet throughout their lifespan, including pregnancy and lactation, do not show evidence of growth or endocrinological problems. According to a scientific panel convened in March 2006 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), even pregnant women who eat soy regularly consume such low amounts of genistein, the most heavily concentrated isoflavone in soy, that the likelihood of reproductive or developmental effects are of “negligible concern.” If any problem has ever been observed, it has only been in animal studies,not in humans, and have used very large amounts of genistein. Animals break down isoflavones such as genistein quite differently than do humans, so animal studies should not be used to determine effect in humans. (59 – 65) Learn more about soy and pregnancy.
