A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of soy on serum hs-CRP

The results of studies about the effect of soy products on serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are inconsistent. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was to investigate the effect of soy products intake on serum hs-CRP concentration.

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to December 2016 without language restrictions. Random-effect model was used for quantitative data synthesis.

Thirty-six studies were included in our analyses. A meta-analysis revealed a non-significant reduction in serum hs-CRP concentrations following soy products consumption, -0.19 (mg/L) (95% CI: -0.49 to 0.09; I² = 95.6%). Subgroup analyses suggested that natural soya products may reduce plasma levels of CRP by -0.18 mg/L (95% CI: -0.28 to -0.08; I²: 11.6) in comparison to other source of isoflavones (soya extracts, supplements). Moreover, the effect was stronger among subjects with baseline hs-CRP concentrations of less than 2.52 mg/L, -0.15 (95% CI: -0.27 to -0.02; I²: 34.6). A meta-regression analysis revealed that dosage of isoflavones seems to be a strong predictor of the effect of soya on serum hs-CRP levels.

Present review of RCTs published up to December 2016 did not provide strong evidence regarding the beneficial effect of soya products consumption on blood hs-CRP concentrations. However, it appears that natural soya products may reduce plasma levels of hs-CRP in comparison to other source of isoflavones. Large and well-designed studies are recommended to confirm this conclusion.

PROSPERO CRD42018069371.