Soy Confusion: Is Tofu Bad for Memory?

Here's an interesting study that I fear will lead people to erroneously dismiss the benefits of vegetarianism. Researchers at the Universities of Loughborough and Oxford found that among 719 older Indonesians living in Java, high consumption of tofu was associated with memory decline.

Tofu, which is made of soy, contains phytoestrogens thought to possess beneficial health properties. However, the researchers point out that phytoestrogens may impact the aging brain differently than they impact brain health among those who are younger or middle-aged.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that eating tempeh -- a fermented soy product produced from whole soy beans -- was associated with better memory. Huh?

Here's their theory: tempeh, unlike tofu, contains high amounts of folate, which is thought to reduce dementia risk. "It may be that that the interaction between high levels of both folate and phytoestrogens protects against cognitive impairment,” explains Professor Eef Hogervorst of Loughborough University, the lead researcher in the study.

Keep in mind that this is just one study and it's hard to generalize the results without looking at soy consumption among a variety of ethnic groups. I look forward to additional studies that shed more light on these findings. My fear is that people who hear about this study will immediately swear off soy -- or if they already have a beef with soy (pun intended), they'll use this information to tell their vegetarian friends, "See, I told you so."

The truth is that soy has many nutritious properties, and the study's results indicate that high consumption was linked to memory loss. It didn't suggest that eating soy in general had the same effect. So vegetarians, keep doing what you (hopefully) are already doing: Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and other plant-based foods. An occasional tofu stir-fry isn't going to hurt you -- and it's a much better choice than a double cheeseburger.

More On Nutrition & Brain Health:

Can Diet and Nutrition Reduce My Risk for Alzheimer's Disease?

Illustration © Microsoft