A recent study found that school-age children who consumed higher amounts of isoflavones from soy foods had improved cognitive abilities and attention. These results open the door to further research into how soy foods may beneficially affect cognitive development in children. Isoflavones are natural compounds found in various plants, especially soybeans and soy products. While previous studies in adults have shown that soy isoflavones can improve memory, the benefits in children have not been well studied.
"Soy foods are often not a regular part of children's diets in the United States," said Ajla Bristina, a doctoral student in neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Our study adds to the evidence that the nutrients in soy foods are important for children's cognitive abilities."
Bristina published this research result at NUTRITION2024, the flagship annual meeting of the American Nutrition Society.
To examine the potential benefits of soy isoflavones, researchers looked at data from a previous cross-sectional study that included 128 children aged 7 to 13 years. They used information from seven-day dietary records to calculate each child's average dietary intake, including the amount of macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins and isoflavones consumed. To assess children's general intellectual abilities, the researchers used a set of paper-and-pencil tests adapted for grade level. They also used a computerized task called the "Flanker Task" to measure attentional abilities, while recording electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, which measures information processing speed and attention.
No other studies have used electroencephalography or similar methods to record the electrical activity produced by the brain to examine the connection between soy isoflavones and attentional abilities. Overall, the analysis showed that children in the study tended to consume less isoflavone-containing soy foods. However, children who consumed more soy foods had faster reactions and faster processing speeds in attention tasks. No association was observed between soy isoflavone intake and general intelligence.
"Children in our study consumed an average of 1.33 milligrams of isoflavones per day, which, while relatively low, is consistent with previously reported U.S. values," Bristina said. "Individual participants' soy intake ranged from 0 mg to 35 mg per day. To put this in perspective, an 8-ounce serving of soy milk provides approximately 28 mg of isoflavones, a serving of tofu provides approximately 35 mg of isoflavones, and a half cup of steamed edamame provides approximately 18 mg of isoflavones."
Bristina says snacks like roasted edamame, black beans or soy milk are great ways to get more soy into your diet. Tofu, tempeh or soy foods are also good meal options.
"Correlation studies like this are just the first step," Bristina said. "Better understanding of the impact of soy food consumption on children's cognitive abilities, and the precise isoflavone intake required to induce faster reaction times, will require interventions. To learn more, the research team recently began a clinical trial to study the effects of soy food on thinking ability, sex hormones, metabolic health and gut health."
Compiled from /ScitechDaily