What is the Edamame Diet?

While there is no conclusive data confirming the healing properties of edamame products, there is a significant benefit linked to the regular consumption of edamame. As of 2010, there is no specific "Edamame Diet," per se, but there are medical reports that support the incorporation of soy (edamame) into the diet, for the aid of weight loss and cholesterol management.

Benefits of Soy

• According to the Food and Drug Administration, edamame or soy products may reduce the risk of coronary disease. Soy, which is high in fiber and rich in protein, is an ideal meat alternative for the vegan or vegetarian diet. Edamame is produced in several food products, including snack foods (nuts, cookies, ice cream) and milk. Soy is also ideal for those with high-cholesterol, as it is low in both fat and cholesterol. Four servings of soy (6.25 g) are recommended as part of your daily diet, in order to reap the heart-healthy benefits supported by the FDA.

Disadvantages of Soy

• Because of edamame's natural resemblance to estrogen, it has been recommended to menopausal women as a natural hormone in hormone replacement therapy. Certain cancers thrive off of estrogen. As of 2010, there has been some reports that soy might be a cancer risk to women with a genetic predisposition to this disease. "Studies in cell culture and in mice found that soy increased the growth of breast cancer cells. On the other hand, Asian women, who tend to eat a soy-based diet, have a threefold lower risk of breast cancer than Western women do," said Maia Szalavitz in a piece Psychology Today.

Soy Diet Facts

• Edamame is low in cholesterol, calories, fat and sugar. According to Soybean.org, "Eating more high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soyfoods may help with weight loss efforts when substituted for higher calorie foods." Soy products are higher in fiber, which provides a feeling of satiety and fullness, thereby reducing in-between snacking, which tends to load on the unwanted pounds.