Francesca Bot:  Is soy bad for you?

 Is soy bad for you?

Soybeans have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years, and have since spread across the globe. Today, soy is in so many foods that most people consume it every day without even knowing it. So, what makes soybeans so versatile? And is our global obsession healthy or harmful? Francesca Bot explores why this single plant is used in everything from mayonnaise to biodegradable plastic. [Directed by Frederico Pinto, Hype CG, narrated by Pen-Pen Chen, music by Fernando Spillari].

Soybeans have become a hidden staple in diets and manufacturing worldwide, appearing in everything from chocolate to plastic. Their appeal lies in their high protein and fat content, plus a mild taste that blends easily into countless products. While soy provides essential amino acids and healthy fats, its global spread has fueled massive deforestation, with 22,000 square kilometers of the Amazon cleared for soy between 2006 and 2017. The benefits to human health are significant, but the environmental toll calls for urgent change.