Nearly ¾ of U.S. consumers perceive soy products as healthy and think soy may provide a healthier addition to their diet. That's according to the 10th Annual “Consumer Attitudes about Nutrition” study, a survey of 1,000 consumers conducted by the United Soybean Board (USB).

According to the soybean checkoff-funded survey, more consumers perceive soy as heart healthy. In fact, 38% of those surveyed now know that consuming 25 grams of soy protein a day can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Many consumers in the study viewed a diet including soy products as a way to help fight obesity and encourage weight loss.

The survey also found that more consumers use soy products on a regular and trial basis. Soymilk, which increased in regular usage from 14% in 2002 to 17% in 2003, showed the largest consumption gain among soyfoods.

The number of consumers who tried the product also increased from 35% in 2002 to 39% in 2003. Soy burgers, soy protein bars and whole green soybeans exhibited similar increases in regular and trial usage.

The complete survey and more information about soy products can be found at www.talksoy.com.