Soybean: what it contains and why it matters
Soybean is the soya bean (used for soya chunks, tofu and soy milk). This page lists its nutritional content from published sources and explains which lab parameters it relates to.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-04
Nutritional content of soybean
Per 100 g edible portion, from published composition data.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 446 kcal | USDA |
| Protein | 36.49 g | USDA |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.94 g | USDA |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 30.16 g | USDA |
| Fiber, total dietary | 9.3 g | USDA |
| Calcium | 277 mg | USDA |
| Iron | 15.7 mg | USDA |
| Magnesium | 280 mg | USDA |
| Potassium | 1797 mg | USDA |
| Folate, total | 375 µg | USDA |
Which lab parameters does soybean relate to?
Protein
Dietary protein provides the amino acids the body uses to build and repair tissue [WHO].
Understand your Total Protein result →See all protein-rich foods →
Iron
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body [WHO].
Understand your Haemoglobin result →See all iron-rich foods →
Calcium
Calcium is the main mineral in bones and teeth, and is also needed for muscles and nerves [WHO].
Understand your Calcium result →See all calcium-rich foods →
Magnesium
Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and helps build bone [WHO].
Understand your Magnesium result →See all magnesium-rich foods →
Potassium
Potassium helps nerves and muscles work and helps balance the body's fluids [WHO].
Understand your Potassium result →See all potassium-rich foods →
Folate
Folate is needed to make and repair DNA and to form red blood cells [WHO].
Vegetarian and dietary notes
Soybean is a plant legume that is entirely vegetarian and vegan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the protein content of mature raw soybeans?
Raw mature soybeans contain 36.49 g of protein per 100 g [USDA]. Dietary proteins provide amino acids utilized by human physiology for cellular maintenance and tissue formation.
How much iron and calcium are provided by raw soybeans?
Raw mature soybeans supply 15.7 mg of iron and 277 mg of calcium per 100 g [USDA]. Iron forms a functional core of hemoglobin for oxygen delivery, and calcium is an essential component of bone matrix and cellular signaling.
What quantities of potassium and magnesium are found in soybeans?
A 100 g portion of raw mature soybeans contains 1797 mg of potassium and 280 mg of magnesium [USDA]. Potassium functions as a primary intracellular cation for membrane potential maintenance, and magnesium participates in enzymatic reactions involving ATP.
How much dietary fiber is present in raw soybeans?
Raw mature soybeans provide 9.3 g of total dietary fiber per 100 g [USDA]. Dietary fiber consists of non-digestible carbohydrates that pass through the small intestine into the colon.
What is the folate concentration in raw soybeans?
Raw mature soybeans supply 375 µg of folate per 100 g [USDA]. Folate acts as an indispensable coenzyme in one-carbon transfer reactions, including nucleotide synthesis and amino acid conversions.
Sources
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central, Agricultural Research Service. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
- WHO — World Health Organization — nutrition fact sheets. https://www.who.int/