In normal-weight obese women consuming less than 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, switching from a fruit snack to a soy-enriched high-protein snack for six months results in an...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating soy protein turns on muscle-building signals in the body and makes you feel fuller, so you eat less. Over time, this builds more muscle and burns fat without changing exercise habits.
Most probable mechanism
Eating soy protein replaces a low-protein snack and delivers amino acids that turn on muscle-building signals in muscle cells, causing more muscle to form over time. At the same time, the protein triggers hormones that signal fullness, leading to eating fewer calories overall. With more muscle built and fewer calories consumed, body fat decreases while muscle mass increases.
Soy protein digestion releases essential amino acids, particularly leucine, into the bloodstream
Leucine binds to receptors in skeletal muscle, activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway
Activated mTORC1 increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis by enhancing ribosomal translation of muscle proteins
Sustained elevation in muscle protein synthesis over months leads to net accumulation of skeletal muscle mass
Soy protein ingestion stimulates enteroendocrine cells to release satiety hormones including CCK, GLP-1, and PYY
These hormones signal the brain to reduce hunger and increase fullness, suppressing appetite
Reduced ghrelin secretion further diminishes hunger drive
Lowered appetite leads to reduced spontaneous energy intake without changes in physical activity
Increased muscle mass raises metabolic rate, while reduced energy intake creates a negative energy balance
Negative energy balance and elevated muscle mass drive preferential mobilization of adipose tissue, resulting in body fat loss
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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