Biologically active components of soybeans and soy protein products: A review

Soybeans provide a source of low-cost protein with good nutritional and physico-chemical properties. Recently, soybean has received much attention because of its potential role in preventing and treating several diseases including cancer and other human chronic diseases. Health benefits of soy diet are attributed to the minor soybean constituents (calledphytochemicals). Soybean contains a variety of phytochemicals with demonstrated anticancer activity, including bioactive proteins andpolypeptides (trypsin inhibitors and the most recently discoveredpeptide lunasin), isofl avones, phytic acid, phytosterols and saponins. The present review provides an overview of recent knowledge about biologically active components of soybean.