You may already be taking it
Soy lecithin is found in dietary supplements, ice cream and dairy products, infant formula, bread, margarine and other convenience foods. In other words, whether you realize it or not, you're probably already consuming soy lecithin. The good news is that it usually contains a small amount and is nothing to worry about.
If you have high cholesterol, you can take
One of the more common reasons people turn to adding more soy lecithin to their diet is to lower cholesterol.
Research on this effectiveness is limited. In one studyTrusted Source, animals treated with soy lecithin had a decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol, but not a decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol.
Another studyTrusted Source found similar findings in humans, with a 42% reduction in total cholesterol and a 56% reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Do you need more choline?
Choline is an essential nutrient and part of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is found in a variety of foods, including soy lecithin in the form of phosphatidylcholine.
Without the right amount of choline, people can develop organ dysfunction, fatty liver disease, and muscle damage. Fortunately, increasing choline intake can reverse the effects of this deficiency.
Even if you are allergic to soy
Although soy lecithin is derived from soybeans, most allergens have been removed during the manufacturing process.
According to the University of Nebraska, most allergists would not warn people with soy allergies not to consume soy lecithin because the risk of a reaction is small. Still, some people with extreme soy allergies may react to it, so highly sensitive people should treat it with caution.
Soy lecithin is a generally safe food additive. Because it is present in small amounts in food, it is unlikely to be harmful. Although the evidence supporting soy lecithin as a supplement is limited, the evidence supporting choline could lead people to purchase this food additive in supplement form.
other problems
Some people are concerned about the use of soy lecithin because it is made from genetically modified soybeans. If you are concerned about this, look for organic products as they must be made from organic soy lecithin.
Additionally, while the lecithin in soybeans is natural, some people are concerned about the chemical solvents used to extract it.
