This is the VOA Special English Health Report.

Foods made from soybeans are increasingly popular, and not justbecause of the taste. Studies has found that soy can be good for thehealth in different ways. Now, research in the United States showsthat a molecule in soy may help prevent colon cancer. The Journal ofNutrition published the study by researchers at Georgia Tech, EmoryUniversity and the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Al Merrill of Georgia Tech says that soy is known to suppresscancer. He says that some of this effect may be from a group ofmolecules. These are called sphingolipids (se-FIN-go-LIP-ids).Plants and animals have many different kinds.

Earlier research led by Professor Merill showed that suchmolecules in milk can suppress the formation of growths. But he saysthis is the first study to show that similar molecules in plants canalso suppress cancer.

The study found that a molecule known as soy GlcCer (glick-SEER)reduced the formation and growth of tumor cells in mice. Some of themice were born with a gene that leads to colon cancer. Others weregiven a chemical that causes the disease.

The soy GlcCer passed through the stomach and intestines. ButProfessor Merrill says it stayed strong enough to suppress cancerouscells in the colon, part of the large intestine. The next step is tosee if the molecule works the same way in humans.

Interest in soy has led to many more food and health productsthat contain it. These are especially popular with older women.Their bodies no longer produce the female hormone estrogen. So theyworry about their risk of breast cancer.

Soy contains two substances that are similar to estrogen.However, experts say one of these might increase the risk of breastcancer in some women. They say more research is needed on thedifferent chemicals in soy and the safety of taking them in largeamounts.

Earlier this year, scientists reported that soy may help menprevent prostate cancer. But some men apparently are concerned aboutthe estrogen-like effect of soy. So, in a different study,scientists had men eat much larger amounts of soy than they wouldnormally get in food.

There were a few side effects reported, including breastenlargement. But researchers at the University of North Carolina atChapel Hill said none of these effects were serious.

This VOA Special English Health Report was written by JerilynWatson.