Regularly eating soy appears to reduce the risk of diabetes, especially in people who are overweight. And soy is a naturally healthy choice for people with diabetes. Soy offers complete protein, but without the saturated fat and cholesterol that many people with diabetes want to avoid. The carbohydrates in soy are complex, meaning they break down slowly in the body, limiting their impact on blood sugar.
People with diabetes are at increased risk of heart and kidney disease, and soy scores big points in these areas too. Soy can lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, a boon for heart health. Soy lowers the amount of protein in the urine, which is a good thing too. Less protein in the urine means less kidney damage, which is a common complication of diabetes.