Soy protein isolate – an antidiabetic

Soy beans are naturally high in a group of compound known as isoflavonic phytoestrogens or isoflavones and thus help protect our body from diseases like diabetes. The objective of supplementing soy protein isolate containing high levels of isoflavones to a group of Type II diabetic subjects is to study the impact of soy isoflavones in the management of diabetes mellitus. A standardised beverage with 25g of isoflavone rich soy protein isolate mixed with water and milk was assessed for its acceptability using a nine point hedonic scale. The drink prepared with hot water without sugar was supplemented to a group of diabetic subjects for a period of six months. Physiological symptoms experienced by the diabetic group disappeared whereas no change was observed in the control group. A gradual reduction was observed in fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar, post prandial blood sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin and is statistically significant. No significant changes was observed in the control group.