Soy Protein and Reduced Total Cholesterol

Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on total cholesterol, with moderate effect sizes most common. Effects were observed mainly in clinical populations with chronic kidney disease or type 2 diabetic nephropathy, and in postmenopausal women. Dose information was limited, and one study's effect was attributed to red clover rather than soy protein.

Studied populations: individuals with chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetic nephropathy, and postmenopausal women

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias. Additionally, one study's reported effect is specifically for red clover, not soy protein alone.

Generated May 14, 2026

Doses used in studies

%/day: 35 (median 35, IQR 35–35) — 1 study

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

The effects of soy protein and soy isoflavones intake on chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2024-11-29
- Meta-Analysis · n = 522
- International urology and nephrology 57(5)
- - Yu Zhixiang
  - Xu Yongxing
  - Liu Juan
  - Yang Qing
  - Lu Yangyang
  - Zhen Zhangrui
  - Gao Yuehua
- PubMed: 39611889
- DOI: 10.1007/s11255-024-04301-4
3 Insights on
- Reduced Total Cholesterol
- High evidence
- Clinical
consumption of soy protein led to a significant decrease in total cholesterol... The average reduction was -20.55 mg/dL (95% CI -38.25, -2.85 mg/dL) for total cholesterol (P = 0.02)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Comparison of the effects of different percentages of soy protein in the diet on patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy: systematic reviews and network meta-analysis.
- 2023-08-24
- Systematic Review · n = 116
- Frontiers in nutrition 10
- - Jun Sun
  - Yu Wei
  - Runyu Miao
  - Xiangyuan Zhang
  - Boxun Zhang
  - Lili Zhang
  - Linhua Zhao
- PubMed: 37693248
- DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1184337
3 Insights on
- Reduced Total Cholesterol
- High evidence
- Clinical
the mean difference for CHO was -0.55 (95% confidence interval: -1.08, -0.03)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
35% SP diet
Role of Phytoestrogen-Rich Bioactive Substances (Linum usitatissimum L., Glycine max L., Trifolium pratense L.) in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 2022-06-14
- Meta-Analysis
- Nutrients 14(12)
- - Agata Błaszczuk
  - Agnieszka Barańska
  - Wiesław Kanadys
  - Maria Malm
  - Monika Elżbieta Jach
  - Urszula Religioni
  - Rafał Wróbel
  - Jolanta Herda
  - Małgorzata Polz-Dacewicz
- PubMed: 35745197
- DOI: 10.3390/nu14122467
4 Insights on
- Reduced Total Cholesterol
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Elderly
Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18--0.04; p = 0.0017)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes

Soy Protein and Reduced Total Cholesterol

The effects of soy protein and soy isoflavones intake on chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Comparison of the effects of different percentages of soy protein in the diet on patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy: systematic reviews and network meta-analysis.

Role of Phytoestrogen-Rich Bioactive Substances (Linum usitatissimum L., Glycine max L., Trifolium pratense L.) in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.