New super cereal can help fight obesity, cancer

London, May 25 (ANI): A new study has shown that soy cereal, developed by a professor of food and nutrition, not only helps tackle obesity but cut cancer risk also.

Soo-Yeun Lee, a professor of food science and nutrition from the University of Illinois has come up with a cinnamon-flavoured soy cereal that can reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer.

Unlike other breakfast cereals that can contain high levels of sugar and fat, the soy cereal has 10 grams of protein and five grams of fibre into each bowl.

It can keep hunger at bay until lunchtime. Soy is already used in some cereals but as an ingredient not a base.

"There are lots of good reasons to eat soy and even more reasons to consume soy protein at breakfast. Research shows soy decreases the risk of breast and prostate cancers and lowers cholesterol," the Daily Express quoted a Dr Lee as saying.

"Diets high in soy protein are also effective in combating obesity. Soy protein is very high-quality protein and high-protein meals eaten early in the day stick with you so you eat less," she added.

Soy contains isoflavones - plant hormones - which is said to offer protection against osteoporosis and protect against some cancers.

Dr Lee is now working to improve the flavour of the cereal before it can be marketed.

"We need to do some tweaking but, even at this stage, one of our formulations did better than a product already on shelve," she said. (ANI)