Soy sauce is one of the world’s oldest condiments, dating back more than 2,500 years. Collecting the drippings of miso, a fermented soybean paste, was the traditional, time-honored method of preparing soy sauce. And because the miso was aged (thus naturally fermented), the unhealthy components of the soybean were neutralized during the fermentation process.
In these modern times however, soy sauce is made by fermenting a mixture of mashed soybeans, salt, and enzymes. Plus, many conventional soy sauce manufacturers utilize a chemical process known as acid hydrolysis that does not incorporate fermentation, so the harmful effects of the soybean are not inactivated.
Consumer concerns about eating soy products have risen to an all-time high, and for solid, proven reasons. Soy-based foods are a big and controversial topic, and I will do my best to explain this as clearly and succinctly as possible.
GMOs
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Soy ~ Based on USDA survey data, GMO soybeans went from 17 percent of U.S. soybean acreage in 1997, to 68 percent in 2001, to an alarming 94 percent in 2014.
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Coconut Aminos ~ Coconut trees are NOT genetically modified and are not on any future endangered GMO crop list. Coconut Aminos is Non-GMO Project Certified.
GLUTEN
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Soy ~ Even though soy is inherently gluten-free by nature, soybeans are often grown in rotation with wheat crops. Farmers use the same fields to grow soy and wheat, along with the same machinery during harvest, the same storage facilities, and the same trucks for transporting. As a result, soy can be subject to gluten cross-contamination. Soybeans are one of the most cross-contaminated of all crops and many people report reacting to soy as they do to wheat and other gluten grains. Soy ranks as one of the top 8 allergens in the U.S.
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Coconut Aminos ~ Coconut trees and their sap are completely gluten-free with no possibility of cross-contamination. Coconut Aminos is Gluten-Free Certified.
SODIUM
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Soy Sauce ~ Traditional soy sauce and tamari contain large amounts of Sodium. An average of 940-1000 mg per Tablespoon, while the low sodium versions still contain approximately 700 mg per tablespoon.
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Coconut Aminos ~ We are proud to report that Coconut Aminos contains only 270 mg of sodium per tablespoon. That is 73% Less Sodium than soy sauce, tamari and Bragg Liquid Aminos.
ESTROGEN
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Soy ~ Soy mimics estrogen. Soybeans contain phytoestrogens which are powerful endocrine disrupters that mimic the body’s natural estrogen hormones. For men this can lead to a testosterone imbalance, infertility, low libido and sperm count, and increased risk of cancers. For women, it can cause estrogen dominance linked to infertility, menstrual issues and cancer. These phytoestrogens are so strong that a baby feeding on only soy formula is consuming the hormonal equivalent of 4-5 birth control pills a day.
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Coconut Aminos ~ Coconut sap contains zero phytoestrogens, and is safe to consume for men, women and children of all ages.
ENZYME INHIBITORS
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Soy ~ The high levels of phytic acid in soy inhibit the body’s ability to absorb important minerals including zinc, calcium, copper, iron and magnesium. Soy also contains protease inhibitors that can block the enzymes necessary for the proper digestion of proteins.
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Coconut Aminos ~ Made entirely from coconut tree sap, our Coconut Aminos does not contain enzyme inhibitors of any kind.
GOITROGENS
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SOY ~ Goitrogens are potent anti-thyroid compounds that inhibit the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine correctly. When you have an underperforming thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows down so you feel cold all the time, have low energy and a weakened immune system.
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Coconut Aminos ~ The pure coconut sap used to make Coconut Aminos has NO goitrogenic compounds.
Note: If you are consuming soy sauce that is prepared by traditional methods of fermentation and made with certified organic, non-GMO soybeans ~ most of the harmful components are inactivated during the aging process. However, if you have soy allergies, thyroid, gluten, digestive, or other immune system issues, it might be best to refrain from soy sauce in your diet.
