Soybean
SOYBEAN
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) remains one of the most clinically and agronomically debated taxa. This complexity is attributed to several critical factors.
Firstly, no other botanical species possesses as many transgenic forms as the soybean. In the United States, approximately 75% of soybean acreage is dedicated to genetically modified varieties, while in Argentina, this figure reaches 99% (for further pharmacological and botanical details, see Cereals and Legumes).
Secondly, notwithstanding its significant nutritional density, soybean contains estrogenic isoflavones (phytoestrogens), which may modulate the hormonal homeostasis toward a more “estrogenic” profile (see also: Soy, beans, and peas against dementia, alopecia, and osteoporosis). This physiological effect is augmented by a high concentration of phytosterols, specifically the “female” phytosterol beta-sitosterol.
Thirdly, soybean serves as a prominent meat analogue, characterized by high protein content, extensively utilized in vegetarian and East Asian diets. However, commercial soy products often utilize soy texturate—a refined derivative produced from defatted soybean meal, which contains negligible lipid and phytosterol fractions.
Soy is characterized by a high concentration of vitamins, diverse mineral elements, proteins, essential and non-essential amino acids, phytosterols, dietary fiber, and purines.
The seeds are exceptionally rich in biotin (120% of the daily requirement per 100 g), tocopherols (specifically gamma-tocopherol (99.5%) and delta-tocopherol (33.0%)), folic acid (71.9%), vitamin B1 (thiamine) (53.4%), choline (38.6%), vitamin K (phylloquinone) (35.0%), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) (30.7%), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) (27.3%), pantothenic acid (25.4%), and vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) (9.6%).
The mineral profile of soybeans is diverse, comprising macro-, micro-, and ultramicroelements. The most abundant elements include: boron (662.1%), silicon (590.0%), vanadium (326.0%), cobalt (312.0%), rubidium (220.0%), nickel (191.8%), molybdenum (141.4%), manganese (120.0%), iron (84.7%), lithium (67.0%), potassium (64.2%), phosphorus (62.1%), magnesium (50.8%), copper (30.5%), zinc (28.8%), sulfur (24.4%), zirconium (22.0%), calcium (19.7%), selenium (13.5%), strontium (10.3%), iodine (9.3%), and barium (8.0%).
Soybeans contain significant concentrations of trace elements rarely found in other food sources: bromine (7.5% of the daily requirement per 100 g) and germanium (2.0%).
Soybeans are distinguished by their high protein content (46.6%) and essential and non-essential amino acids (73.1% and 46.6% per 100 g, respectively). The concentration of virtually all amino acids identified in soybeans (per 100 g) exceeds 25% of the daily requirement, with the singular exception of methionine. The seeds are particularly rich in essential isoleucine (97.3%) and valine (80.1%); among non-essential amino acids, glutamic acid (57.1%), glycine (53.0%), proline (52.2%), arginine (51.0%), and tyrosine (50.6%) predominate.
Soybeans exhibit a significant lipid fraction (20.8%), characterized by a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (39.7% of the daily norm per 100 g). This includes polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (specifically linolenic acid, 137.2%) and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, 103.3%). The saturated fatty acid fraction per 100 g constitutes 12.1% of the daily norm.
Soybeans are also characterized by a high concentration of phytosterols (292.7% of the daily norm per 100 g), primarily beta-sitosterol (99.8%). This biochemical profile justifies the classification of soybeans as a “female” functional product (for further details, see Avocado).
Soybeans contain the phospholipid lecithin (1.5-3.0 g per 100 g). Lecithin (specifically phosphatidylcholine) constitutes the primary component of cellular membranes (representing 80-90% of the phospholipid bilayer), essential for neurotransmission and cognitive function, and serves as a fundamental building block of hepatocytes. Hepatic cell membranes consist of 65% phospholipids, of which 40% is phosphatidylcholine. High phospholipid concentrations are also found in the brain, forming the structural basis of the myelin sheath. Lecithin acts as a critical transport medium for the delivery of nutrients, vitamins, and therapeutic agents; it is indispensable for cellular repair and membrane regeneration. Lecithin exerts a lipotropic effect, modulates cholesterol levels, enhances detoxification, stimulates biliary secretion, and promotes the erythropoiesis. Furthermore, lecithin possesses antioxidant properties.
The carbohydrate fraction of soybeans constitutes 8.8%, with monosaccharides and disaccharides accounting for 11.4%. Dietary fiber is the predominant carbohydrate component (54.0%); soybeans also contain starch (11.6 g per 100 g) and sucrose (5.1 g per 100 g).
Patients with hyperuricemia or gout should note that soybeans are characterized by a high concentration of purine bases: 100 g provides 73.3% of the daily requirement.
The oxalic acid concentration per 100 g is 56 mg, which represents 14.0% of the maximum permissible daily intake (for more details, see Rhubarb).
Soybeans exhibit a capacity to bioaccumulate toxic mineral elements: strontium (10.3% of the daily norm per 100 g) and barium (8.0%).
Calories per 100 g: 364 kcal
Water per 100 g: 8.7-12.0 g
Ash per 100 g: 4.6-5.0 g
Water per 100 g: 8.7-12.0 g
Ash per 100 g: 4.6-5.0 g
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Vitamins, macro- and microelements, nutrients per 100 g
VITAMINS
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | visually | ||
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | 0.874-0.940 mg | 53.4 |  |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | 0.220-0.870 mg | 27.3 |  |
| Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) | 0.793-1.750 mg | 25.4 | |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | 0.377-0.850 mg | 30.7 | |
| Vitamin B9 (folic acid) | 200.0-375.0 mcg | 71.9 |  |
| Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) | 0.0 | 0 |  |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 4.6-6.0 mg | 7.6 |  |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.85-1.90 mg | 9.2 | |
| Beta-tocopherol | 0.2 | 1.3 | |
| Gamma-tocopherol | 14.93 | 99.5 |  |
| Delta-tocopherol | 4.95 | 33 | |
| Vitamin D (ergocalciferol) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) | 1.62-2.20 mg | 9.6 | |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 37.0-47.0 | 35 |  |
| Biotin | 60.0 | 120 |  |
| Beta-carotene | 70.0 | 1.4 | |
| Alpha-carotene | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 44.1 | 0.7 | |
| Beta-cryptoxanthin | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Lycopene | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Choline | 115.9-270.0 mg | 38.6 | |
| Methylmethionine sulfonium (vitamin U) | 0 | 0 | |
| Betaine trimethylglycine | 2.1 | 0 | |
* Full jug – 100% of the daily norm; empty – 0-1% of the daily norm.
MINERAL ELEMENTS
Macroelements
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Potassium | 1370.0-1840.0 mg | 64.2 | |
| Calcium | 85.9-348.0 mg | 19.7 | |
| Silicon | 177.0 | 590.0 |  |
| Magnesium | 160.0-246.0 mg | 50.8 | |
| Sodium | 2.0-6.5 mg | 0 | |
| Sulfur | 244.0 | 24.4 | |
| Phosphorus | 390.0-603.0 mg | 62 |  |
| Chlorine | 64.0 mg | 2.8 |  |
Trace elements and ultra-trace elements
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Aluminum | 700.0 mcg | 1.9 | |
| Barium | 10.0-150.0 μg | 8 | |
| Boron | 177.0-750.0 μg | 662.1 | |
| Bromine | 150.0 | 7.5 | |
| Vanadium | 130.4 | 326.0 | |
| Germanium | 7.0-9.0 μg | 2 | |
| Iron | 9.7-15.7 mg | 84.7 |  |
| Iodine | 8.20-19.70 μg | 9.3 | |
| Cobalt | 31.2 | 312 | |
| Lithium | 67.0 | 67.0 | |
| Manganese | 2000.0-2800.0 μg | 120 | |
| Copper | 110.0-500.0 μg | 30.5 | |
| Molybdenum | 99.0 | 141.4 | |
| Arsenic | 0.074 | 0 | |
| Nickel | 42.5-533.0 μg | 191.8 | |
| Tin | 90.0 | 4.5 | |
| Rubidium | 220.0 | 220.0 | |
| Lead | 0.1-0.3 μg | 2 | |
| Selenium | 8.8 | 13.5 | |
| Strontium | 67.0-97.0 μg | 10.3 | |
| Thallium | 0.08 | 4.0 | |
| Titanium | 20.0 | 2.4 | |
| Fluorine | 120.0 | 3 | |
| Chromium | 0.50-88.3 μg | 1.8 | |
| Zinc | 2010.0-4890.0 μg | 28.8 | |
| Zirconium | 11.0 | 22 | |
PROTEINS AND AMINO ACIDS
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily allowance | |
| in numbers | visually | ||
| Total protein content | 34.90-39.60 g | 46.6 | |
| Essential amino acid content | 15.715-16.138 g | 73.1 | |
| Content of replaceable amino acids | 26.156-26.864 g | 46.6 | |
Essential amino acids
| Name of acid | Content, g per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Valine | 1.976-2.029 g | 80.1 |  |
| Histidine | 1.068-1.097 g | 51.5 | |
| Isoleucine | 1.920-1.971 g | 97.3 | |
| Leucine | 3.223-3.309 g | 71.0 | |
| Lysine | 2.634-2.706 g | 65.1 | |
| Methionine | 0.089-0.147 g | 6.5 | |
| Threonine | 1.719-1.766 g | 72.6 | |
| Tryptophan | 0.575-0.591 g | 58.3 | |
| Phenylalanine | 2.066-2.122 g | 69.8 | |
Non-essential amino acids
| Acid name | Content, g per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Alanine | 1.865-1.915 g | 28.6 | |
| Arginine | 3.071-3.153 g | 51 | |
| Aspartic acid | 4.978-5.112 g | 41.4 | |
| Glycine | 1.830-1.880 g | 53 | |
| Glutamic acid | 7.668-7.874 g | 57.1 | |
| Proline | 2.315-2.379 g | 52.2 | |
| Serine | 2.294-2.357 g | 28 | |
| Tyrosine | 1.497-1.539 g | 50.6 | |
| Cystine | 0.638-0.655 g | 35.9 | |
FATS AND FATTY ACIDS
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily allowance | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Total fat content | 19.94-21.60 g | 20.8 | |
| Unsaturated fatty acid content | 15.560-17.024 g | 39.7 | |
| Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid content | 1.300-1.443 g | 137.2 | |
| Omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid content | 9.900-10.765 g | 103.3 | |
| Saturated fatty acid content | 2.860-3.167 g | 12.1 | |
Unsaturated fatty acids
| Acid name | Content, g per 100 g of product |
| Palmitoleic C 16:1 (omega-7) | 0.060-0.100 g |
| Oleic C 18:1 (omega-9) | 4.300-4.716 g |
| Linoleic C 18:2 (omega-6) | 9.900-10.765 g |
| Linolenic C 18:3 (omega-3) | 1,300-1,443 g |
| Stearidonic C 18:4 (omega-3) | 0 |
| Gadoleic C 20:1 (omega-11) | 0 |
| Arachidonic C 20:4 (omega-6) | 0 |
| Eicosapentaenoic C 20:5 (omega-3) | 0 |
| Erucic acid C 22:1 (omega-9) | 0 |
| Clupanoid C 22:5 (omega-3) | 0 |
| Docosahexaenoic C 22:6 (omega-3) | 0 |
| Nervonova C 24:1 (omega-9) | 0 |
Saturated fatty acids
| Acid name | Content, g per 100 g of product |
| Lauric C 12:0 | 0 |
| Myristic C 14:0 | 0.060-0.100 g |
| Pentadecanoic acid 15:0 | 0 |
| Palmitic acid C 16:0 | 2.100-2.295 g |
| Stearic C 18:0 | 0.700-0.772 g |
| Arachidic C 20:0 | 0 |
| Behenic C 22:0 | 0 |
| Lignoceric C 24:0 | 0 |
Sterols
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Total phytosterols | 161.0 mg | 292.7 | |
| Campesterol | 13.6-14.4 mg | 26.2 | |
| Beta-sitosterol | 37.1-39.9 mg | 99.8 | |
| Stigmasterol | 12.0-13.7 mg | 39.1 | |
| Delta-5-avenasterol | 1.7 | 3.1 | |
| Cholesterol | 0 | 0 | – |
CARBOHYDRATES
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Total carbohydrate content | 30.8 | 8.8 | |
| Mono- and disaccharides | 5.7 | 11 | |
| Glucose | 0 | 0.1 | |
| Fructose | 0.55 | 1.6 | |
| Galactose | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Sucrose | 5.1 | – | – |
| Lactose | 0 | 0 | |
| Starch | 11.60 g | – | – |
| Maltose | 0 | – | – |
| Fiber | 13.5 | 54 | |
| Pectin | 0.05-0.14 g | 1.9 | |
PURINE BASES
| Name | Content, mass fraction per 100 g of product | % of daily requirement | |
| in numbers | Visually | ||
| Purine content | 92.0 mg | 73.3 | |
Units of measurement:
Piece (weight of one bean): 0.06-0.31 g
Teaspoon: 205.0 g
Glass: 230.0 g
Teaspoon: 5.0 g
Tablespoon: 25.0 g