I always use soy sauce when I cook stir fries and other menus for it really gives a different good taste to the food. Soy sauce comes from soybeans. Soybeans are members of the pea (legume) family of vegetables. Eating soybean-based food may reduce the risk of a range of health problems, including coronary heart disease. More research is needed, but the evidence so far suggests that it could be wise to include soy foods in the daily diet. Soybeans also contain hormone-like substances called phytoestrogens that mimic the action of hormone oestrogen. The health benefits of soy for menopausal women could include fewer hot flushes, protection from coronary heart disease and lowered risk of osteoporosis. Soy is a high quality protein. It is one of the only two known plant foods to contain all the essential amino acids, similar to those found in meat (the other plant food is amaranth seed, a wild green). Some soy products can be a source of calcium and iron. The soybean is: High in fibre, High in protein, Low in saturated fat Cholesterol-free, Lactose-free a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, High in phytoestrogens.