A natural nutrient found in soybeans and other legumes may boost children’s cognitive abilities and attention spans, a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign suggests. The researchers studied the relationship between soy isoflavones and attention skills in children, using an EEG scanner to record electrical activity in the brain.
Soybeans are rich in a nutrient called isoflavones, which are also found in chickpeas, peanuts, and other legumes. Previous research has linked high isoflavone intake to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and even some types of cancer. A growing number of studies have also linked isoflavones to better cognitive function.
Compounds found in soy products, such as soy milk, tofu and edamame, may support brain processing in children. “No other study has examined the association between soy isoflavones and attention skills using EEG or other similar measures to record electrical activity generated by the brain,” said Ajla Bristina, a PhD student in neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The results of the work have been published in Science Direct.
Benefits of soy nutrients for children’s cognition
Researchers analyzed data from 128 children between the ages of 7 and 13, assessing their general intellectual abilities as well as their information processing speed and attention. Across all age groups, children tended to consume low amounts of soy foods containing isoflavones.
“Soy intake for individual participants ranged from 0 to 35 mg/day,” Bristina explained. “To put this into perspective, an 8-fluid-ounce serving of soy milk (about 226 grams) provides about 28 mg of isoflavones, a serving of tofu provides about 35 mg, and a half-cup of steamed edamame provides about 18 mg of isoflavones.”
However, children who consumed more soy foods had faster response times during attention tasks and faster processing speed, although there was no clear association between soy isoflavone intake and general intellectual ability. “Our study adds evidence about the importance of nutrients found in soy foods for children’s cognition,” Bristina said.
Children who consumed more soy foods had faster response times during attention tasks and their processing speed was faster.
Of course, this study is purely observational and more work is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations. “Correlational studies like this are just the first step,” Bristina noted. “To better understand the effects of eating soy foods on children’s cognitive abilities and the precise amount of isoflavone intake needed to generate faster response times, intervention approaches will be required.”
Some people are allergic to soy, and for many others eating too much can cause digestive issues, so it’s important to consume it in moderation. That said, if you want to add more soy to your diet, Bristina recommends starting with snacks like roasted edamame, soy nuts, and soy milk, as well as tofu, tempeh, or soy-based nuggets. Bristina presented the research at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, NUTRITION 2024, held recently in Chicago.
