Researchers discovered that proteins found in wild soybeans might help reduce inflammation in the body by activating a natural defense system called the Hippo pathway. In laboratory tests using human immune cells, different soybean extracts—especially those rich in a protein called lunasin—significantly reduced inflammatory chemicals that the body produces when fighting infection or stress. This finding suggests that wild soybeans could become a new functional food ingredient to help people maintain better health through diet, though more research in humans is needed to confirm these benefits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether proteins and a special compound called lunasin from wild soybeans can reduce inflammation by turning on the body’s natural anti-inflammatory defense system
  • Who participated: Laboratory experiments using human immune cells (THP-1 cells) that were treated with different soybean protein extracts. This was not a human study.
  • Key finding: Soybean protein extracts, especially those concentrated in lunasin, reduced inflammatory chemicals by 52% to 98%, and activated the Hippo pathway—a cellular defense system that helps control inflammation
  • What it means for you: Eating wild soybeans or soybean products might help your body naturally reduce inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diseases. However, these results are from lab tests, not human studies, so we can’t yet say how much soybean you’d need to eat for real health benefits

The Research Details

Scientists tested four different soybean preparations on human immune cells in a laboratory setting. They created whole flour from wild soybeans, extracted all the proteins, removed lunasin from some extracts, and concentrated lunasin in others. Each preparation was added to immune cells, and researchers measured how much inflammation-causing chemicals the cells produced and how the cells’ internal defense systems responded.

The researchers specifically looked at a cellular pathway called the Hippo pathway, which acts like a switch that can turn inflammation up or down. They measured whether key proteins in this pathway were activated or deactivated by the soybean extracts.

This type of laboratory study helps scientists understand the basic mechanisms of how foods might work in the body before testing them in humans. It’s an important first step in discovering new health benefits from natural foods.

Understanding how soybean proteins work at the cellular level helps scientists design better functional foods and supplements. By identifying the specific pathway involved (the Hippo pathway), researchers can predict which people might benefit most and develop more targeted treatments. This research bridges the gap between traditional food use and modern medicine.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory environment, which allows precise measurement of cellular responses but doesn’t reflect the complexity of the human body. The researchers used standardized cell cultures and measured specific, quantifiable outcomes. However, because this is laboratory research rather than human studies, the results are preliminary and need confirmation in people before making health claims.

What the Results Show

All soybean protein extracts reduced inflammatory chemicals produced by immune cells, with the most concentrated lunasin extract (ELPE) performing particularly well. The extracts reduced IL-6 (a major inflammation signal) by 74% to 98%, reduced MCP-1 (a chemical that attracts immune cells) by 6% to 99%, and reduced TNF-α (another inflammation chemical) by 52%.

The key mechanism was activation of the Hippo pathway. When cells were treated with soybean proteins, a protein called YAP1 became phosphorylated (chemically modified) and moved to the cell’s outer region, which is the activated state. This activation appears to be what triggers the anti-inflammatory response.

The lunasin-enriched extract was the most effective, suggesting that this specific protein compound is responsible for much of the anti-inflammatory benefit. The enriched extract contained 52 to 87 milligrams of lunasin per gram of soybean flour, compared to only 16 to 33 milligrams in regular protein extracts.

The study also found that soybean proteins reduced IL-1β, another important inflammation chemical. Different soybean preparations had varying effectiveness, with the most concentrated lunasin extract showing the strongest effects. The researchers also identified that proteins called LATS1/2 were phosphorylated, which is another sign that the Hippo pathway was activated.

The Hippo pathway has been studied as a potential target for reducing inflammation and preventing cancer in previous research. This study is among the first to show that natural food compounds like soybean proteins can activate this pathway. Previous research has shown that soybeans have anti-inflammatory properties, but this study identifies the specific cellular mechanism responsible, which is a significant advance in understanding why soybeans are considered healthy.

This research was conducted entirely in laboratory cell cultures, not in living humans or even animals. The results show what’s theoretically possible but don’t prove that eating soybeans will produce the same effects in your body. The digestive system, liver, and other organs would process soybean proteins differently than in a test tube. Additionally, the study doesn’t specify how many cells were tested or provide complete statistical details. Human studies would be needed to determine effective doses and whether these benefits actually occur when people eat soybeans.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, there is preliminary evidence (low to moderate confidence) that wild soybeans and soybean products may help reduce inflammation through natural cellular mechanisms. However, this is laboratory research, not human research. Current general nutrition guidelines already recommend soybeans as a healthy protein source, and this research provides additional scientific reasoning for that recommendation. Do not use soybean supplements specifically for inflammation treatment without consulting a healthcare provider.

This research is most relevant to people interested in functional foods, those with chronic inflammatory conditions, food scientists developing new products, and supplement manufacturers. People with soy allergies should avoid these products. Those taking anti-inflammatory medications should not change their treatment based on this research alone. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with certain health conditions should consult healthcare providers before significantly increasing soybean consumption.

If these laboratory findings translate to humans, benefits would likely develop gradually over weeks to months of regular consumption, not immediately. Inflammation reduction is a slow process in the body. More research is needed to establish realistic timelines for human health benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly soybean product consumption (servings of tofu, edamame, tempeh, or soy milk) and correlate with subjective inflammation markers like joint stiffness, energy levels, or digestive comfort using a simple 1-10 scale
  • Add one serving of soybean products to your diet 3-4 times per week (examples: 1/2 cup edamame, 1/2 cup tofu, 1 cup soy milk, or 2 tablespoons miso paste) and track consistency using the app’s food logging feature
  • Create a 12-week tracking plan that logs soybean intake frequency, monitors general wellness markers (energy, joint comfort, digestion), and notes any changes in how you feel. This personal tracking can help you identify if soybean products make a difference for your individual health, while understanding that results vary by person

This research was conducted in laboratory cell cultures and has not been tested in humans. The findings are preliminary and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Soybean products are generally recognized as safe and nutritious, but this specific research does not yet prove that eating soybeans will reduce inflammation in people. If you have inflammatory conditions, allergies to soy, or are taking medications, consult your healthcare provider before making dietary changes based on this research. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.