Many grown men have irrational fears about soy, particularly tofu, with concerns about its impact on masculinity and manliness. Despite a growing body of research showing the benefits of soy as an affordable, nutritious, and widely available form of protein for thousands of years, sensationalistic fear-mongering has attached negative connotations. The demonization of soy has been perpetuated by the rise of the manosphere promoting animal-based diets and sensationalist media pushing disinformation and misrepresentations.

The myth of soy causing "man boobs" has been debunked by numerous studies, showing that soy consumption does not result in any measurable increase in estrogen or decrease in testosterone in men. In contrast, dairy, often championed as a symbol of masculinity, actually contains hormones, while soy does not. The fear-mongering surrounding soy is part of a larger marketing strategy by animal agribusiness industries to combat the rise of plant-based alternatives, and individuals are encouraged to critically examine the messages and biases perpetuated by anti-soy rhetoric.