Soy Lecithin: What it is & Why you should avoid it

Soy Lecithin

Soy in general is a touchy subject, but it is worth learning more about. Soy lecithin can be found in so many food products today from pasta to tea to lotions, the bulk of it being in processed foods. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier, primarily, but it can pop up in ingredients too like chocolate chips. Even in dark chocolate! And supplements! ): 
A simple Google search will say it is generally safe, because it is in such small amounts... Well small amounts add up quick and when everything you are eating has soy lecithin in it, it is a problem. 

What is Soy Lecithin? 

Lecithin has different meanings in different contexts, but in this context it is referring to a mixture of phospholipids and oil. Phospholipids are a component of cell membrane in all plants and animals, and lecithin is most often derived from sunflower kernels, milk, soy, egg yolk, and rapeseed (canola). The composition of soy lecithin differs from manufacturer to manufacturer slightly, but in general it contains about 35% soybean oil, 16% phosphatidylcholine, and the remaining is a mix of other phospholipids and glycolipids. Most of the soy grown in the US is genetically modified, so most soy lecithin is a GMO. Unless it is specified that it is organic. 

What are the Side Effect/ Cons of Soy Lecithin? 

First, and most alarming, soy lecithin has been found to be strongly estrogenic, and these estrogenic compounds found in soy have been shown to disrupt thyroid and endocrine hormone production. Which as you may have already thought, is not very good at all. This is the reason I stay far away from any soy. Another study found, in rats, that soy lecithin in concentrations of 2% to 5% in the diets in pregnant and newborn rats ended in impaired reflexes, swimming ability, and other cognitive deficiencies. 

Bottom Line 

I am not a nutritionist or registered dietitian, so do what you will with this information. But, I stay away from all lecithin and soy products because there is not enough research to indefinitely decide if soy lecithin is safe or not, but the cons outweigh the pros for me and many others. I think men specifically need to worry more about this ingredient because of its estrogenic properties, but still is just as much a concern for women. 

Overall, if any additive, ingredient, food messes with your hormones like that, you should not eat it. As stated above, it is mostly found in processed foods, as are most detrimental ingredients, and processed foods as a whole should be avoided because of the dangerous effects. 

Resources/ Further Reading 

Study finding Soy Lecithin Estrogenic

Soy lecithin rat study