The Hidden Dangers of Soybean Consumption in India

The Rise of Soybean in India

Several decades ago, soybean was virtually unknown in Indian diets. So, how did it become a staple? To understand this, we must look back at a significant agreement made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In the early 1990s, during the era of globalization, India entered into various surprising agreements. One such deal involved importing one million tons of pig manure from Holland. When questioned about this unusual agreement, Singh justified it by stating that the quality of Dutch pig manure was exceptional, primarily because the pigs were fed soybean.

In Holland, pigs are raised for meat, and the more soybean they consume, the fatter they become, leading to higher meat production. When asked where Holland sourced its soybean, it was revealed that much of it came from India, particularly from Madhya Pradesh.

Experts warn that cultivating soybean in a field for ten consecutive years can render the soil barren. Singh's initiative led to increased soybean farming in Madhya Pradesh, enticing farmers with promises of higher prices for their crops. Some doctors even endorsed soybean as a health food, further promoting its cultivation.

Thus, soybean began its journey from India to Holland, where it was used to fatten pigs, and in return, the manure was shipped back to India. This agreement was made by someone who is often celebrated as one of the best finance ministers in the country, raising questions about the rationale behind such decisions.

However, soybean poses health risks. It is known that soybean, whether in the form of oil or dal, is not digestible by the human body. Rajiv Gandhi highlighted that the enzymes required to digest soybean are absent in humans, making it suitable only for pigs, which possess the necessary enzymes.

While soybean is often touted for its protein content, the specific type of protein it contains cannot be processed by the human body, leading to potential health issues. Alternatives like urad dal, peanuts, and black chickpeas are better protein sources. It's advisable to avoid soybean products entirely, regardless of their low cost, and opt for healthier oils like peanut, sesame, sunflower, or mustard oil instead.

In conclusion, if you have elders in your family, ask them if they ever consumed soybean during their childhood. Their responses may reveal the truth about this controversial food.