Which part of the bean is soy germ?

Some labels specify soy germ rather than whole soybean. They are not the same material.

What is a soybean made of?

A soybean consists of the cotyledons, the seed coat and the germ. The cotyledons make up most of the bean.

Which part is the germ?

The germ is the part that would grow into the seedling, and it is a small fraction of the whole bean.

How does its composition differ?

It carries a higher concentration of isoflavones than the rest of the bean. Isoflavones are a group within the flavonoids, found in legumes.

How do you read the label?

Labels usually give the plant name, the part used and an amount. Some also state the percentage of isoflavones in an extract. The comparable figure is the amount in brackets, not the total weight of extract.

What should you watch out for?

If you take regular medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking a supplement containing a concentrated extract.

Dietary supplements are not intended to prevent, treat or cure any disease.