Soy-protein quality versus quantity

Soybeans contain growth-promoting and heart-protecting proteins. To boost these benefits, the United Soybean Board, an industry group based in Chesterfield, Mo., has been pushing growers to develop soy with even higher protein yields. A new study suggests that such an achievement might come at a serious price: a reduction in the protein’s quality.

A limitation of soy protein has always been that it contains too few sulfur-based amino acids, which are particularly important for growing children and for livestock.