PFNDAI backs use of soy to address India’s protein challenges

Soy has emerged as a ‘superfood’ and a solution to resolve India’s protein challenges

PFNDAI (Protein Foods and Nutrition Development Association of India), an organisation founded to promote food safety, quality, nutrition, and healthy diets through education, along with ‘Right To Protein’ a nationwide protein awareness and education initiative which shares a common vision, recently concluded a research paper identifying soy protein as a key food source to fortify traditional Indian foods and develop new, innovative high-protein foods and beverages which can help in improving India’s protein consumption.

The research finds soy as an underrated superfood and a ‘wonder-bean’ due to its nutrition profile, accessibility, and affordability. “For decades, protein deficiency has been a concern relative to the traditional Indian diet, contributing to developmental delays in children and negative health impacts more broadly in the population. In this recent work, we have explored how soy protein, a high-quality, plant-based protein, can help improve low protein consumption in India. Food innovation, as well as continued consumer education on the importance of protein, and more specifically the benefits of soy protein by busting common myths, will be key in improving the protein status of India’s population,” said Dr Jagadish Pai, Executive Director, PFNDAI.

The research paper also brings forth the role of soy in India as a sustainable source of high-quality protein which offers long-term health benefits, including reduced cardiovascular disease risk.

The research sets the ground for understanding the importance and benefits of consuming protein while busting myths about soy and bringing forth the goodness of soy to help resolve the protein consumption challenges faced in the country.