In normal-weight obese women with over 30% body fat, swapping a daily fruit snack for a 50-gram soybean-based high-protein snack for six months results in a 3.7% reduction in body fat, a 4.3 cm...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Soy protein gives your body the building blocks to grow muscle and tells your brain you're full, so you eat less. Over time, this builds muscle and burns fat without needing to change anything else.
Most probable mechanism
Eating soy protein instead of fruit triggers amino acids to activate muscle-building signals in the body, which adds muscle over time. At the same time, the protein tells the gut to release hormones that make the brain feel full, so the person eats less food and burns fat.
Soy protein digestion releases essential amino acids, particularly leucine, into the bloodstream
Leucine binds to muscle cell sensors, activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway to increase muscle protein synthesis
Sustained activation of mTORC1 enhances ribosomal translation and net accumulation of skeletal muscle mass over months
Soy protein ingestion stimulates enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine to secrete cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and peptide YY
These satiety hormones signal via the vagus nerve and bloodstream to the hypothalamus and brainstem, suppressing hunger centers
Ghrelin secretion from the stomach decreases, further reducing hunger drive
Reduced hunger and increased fullness lead to lower spontaneous food intake and reduced daily energy consumption
Lower energy intake creates a sustained negative energy balance, driving reduction in body fat and waist circumference
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Contradicting (0)
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