Mark Messina, Ph.D.

Director of Nutrition Science and Research

Soy Nutrition Institute Global

Dr. Mark Messina is an internationally recognized expert on the health effects of soy. He has appeared on CNN and is regularly quoted by the media in publications including the New York Times, Newsweek and USA Today. Dr. Messina has presented to both consumer and professional audiences in 44 countries on topics including soy and cancer risk, heart health, menopause and men’s health. Mark is the co-author of The Simple Soybean and Your Health. His research has appeared in numerous professional journals including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Journal of Nutrition, Lancet, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Messina is a former program director in the Diet and Cancer Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, where he initiated a multi-million dollar research program investigating the role of soy in cancer prevention. Mark co-owns Nutrition Matters, Inc., a nutrition consulting company, is an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University and the Director of Nutrition Science and Research for SNI Global.

Food & Lifestyle

Soy protein can help address US cardiometabolic health

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Sep 5, 2022

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 2017-18, only 6.8% of U.S. adults have optimal cardiometabolic health.1 What’s more, there…

Digestible Protein

Soyfoods May Help Reduce Risk of Heart Disease and Overall Mortality

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Mar 10, 2022

More than 40,000 scientific papers focused on soyfoods, soy protein or other soybean components such as isoflavones, have been published over the past 30 years.…

Food & Lifestyle

Soy & Your Health: 30 Years of Research

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Mar 4, 2022

The health effects of soyfoods have been rigorously investigated for 30 years.  From a research perspective, the soy and health relationship is a rather mature…

Exports

Soybean Oil: An Underappreciated Source of Nutrition

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Sep 8, 2021

Discussions about soy nutrition often focus on protein, which is not surprising since protein-rich diets are popular, and soybeans are among the best plant sources…

Protein

Soy Protein Promotes Men’s Health, Muscle Mass, and Strength

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|May 17, 2021

A recent surge in evidence from an array of sources highlights the nutritional and health attributes of soy protein for men. These sources include newly…

Food & Lifestyle

On World Health Day, Take a Closer Look at Reasons to add Soy Foods to Your Diet

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Apr 7, 2021

World Health Day 2021 — sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 7 each year — highlights WHO’s commitment to building a fairer,…

Digestible Protein

Adding soy to the diet can help build muscle mass and strength

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Mar 4, 2021

The loss of muscle mass as we age has significant consequences for health and well-being. While resistance exercise training is the key to building muscle…

Food & Lifestyle

Traditional and modern soyfoods can positively contribute to meeting nutrient needs

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Jan 26, 2021

Dr. Mark Messina examines how both traditional and modern soyfoods can positively contribute to meeting nutrient needs.

Food & Lifestyle

Peanut-Allergic Individuals Unlikely to React to Soy

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Jan 16, 2020

Cross-reactivity in allergic reactions occurs when the proteins in one substance are similar to the proteins found in another. Because peanuts and soy are both…

Food & Lifestyle

Soyfoods Do Not Increase Risk of Developing Gout

Mark Messina, Ph.D.|Dec 2, 2019

What was once called the “disease of kings” could now just as well be called the “disease of commoners.” Gout is now the most common…