Food Ingredient Solutions A health powerhouse Recent research strengthens soy's health status 46 I MEAT&POULTRY I April 2005 I www.MEATPOULTRY.com By Eric Schroeder meat&poultry@sosland.com T he beat goes on for soy. A complete protein containing all the essential amino acids the body needs, soy has managed to avoid criticism while establishing a firm market presence in the crowded health and wellness foods segment. The popularity of soy hinges largely on its nutritional properties, which include such components as dietary fiber, isoflavones, plant sterols and saponins. Perhaps most impressive in any analysis of soy is the overwhelming positive research touting the protein's health benefits, with new findings seemingly released on a monthly basis proclaiming one of several ways in which soy may provide health benefits. Not only is science backing the attributes of soy, but recent surveys suggest consumers are aware of soy's health benefits and many are taking steps to incorporate it into their diet. In this year's Consumer Attitudes About Nutrition, the 11th annualhttp://www.MEATPOULTRY.com