what is soybean

Soybeans are legumes related to peas, clover, and alfalfa. They are dicots, which means they have two cotyledons. Each soybean plant produces 60 to 80 pods, each holding three pea-sized beans. Soybeans are hardy plants and well adapted to a variety of soils and soil conditions. They are composed of protein and oil, which makes them available for many uses, as processors can separate soy’s components into soy protein (meal) and soy oil. Soybeans are the most important bean in the world, providing vegetable protein for millions of people and ingredients for hundreds of chemical products. They are used in human nutrition, animal feed, and various industrial and food products. Soybeans also contain hormone-like substances called phytoestrogens that mimic the action of the hormone estrogen, and they are thought to have various health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and improving bone health