Epidemiological studies have shown that the increased
intake of plant foods made with such as soybean
may prevent carcinogenesis. Several
clinical studies also suggested that the consumption of
soy foods could contribute to a beneficial effect on
cholesterolemia (Demonty, Lamarche, & Jones, 2003;
Potter, 1995). Soybeans contain many health benefiting
phytochemicals, of which isoflavones have been reported
to be the most important (Birt, Hendrich, &
Wang, 2001). Numerous reports have indicated that
isoflavones may possess the biological activities to inhibit
cancer cell proliferation and oxidative stress, as
well as induce the immune system