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Soymilk Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 11, 2020

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Soy milk is very rich in high quality protein and its vitamin content important for the overall health and development of the body. It also helps in bringing down cholesterol levels and protects you from cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Soymilk also helps in maintaining the estrogen level, reducing the risk of postmenopausal problems and breast cancer.

Soymilk

Soy milk is extracted from whole soybean or full fat soy flour. The dry beans are soaked in water for few hours and then grinded and again water is added as desired. The water to beans weight ratio is 5:1 for traditional soymilk and 20:1 for soy beverages. Soy milk can also be prepared at home.

Nutritional Value of Soymilk

Soymilk is a good source of energy, protein and vitamins such as vitaminB6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. It is also high on dietary fiber, sugar and fat. Other important minerals present in soymilk are calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc. It also contain some amount of folate, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams

54
Calories
1.8 g
Total Fat
51 mg
Sodium
118 mg
Potassium
6 g
Total Carbohydrate
3.3 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

0.02
Calcium
3 %
Iron
5 %
Vitamin B-6
6 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Soymilk

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of drinking soymilk. It offers various benefits to men and women, soymilk contains plant-based estrogens, which is good for breast cancer and sexual reproduction. We also discuss the disadvantages of soy milk and not to consume in various health conditions. Also, read out how you can use soymilk in different ways.

Soymilk Naturally Free of Cholesterol

One of the most important aspect of soy milk is that its free from lactose yet having almost similar nutritional value as milk. More than 50% of the world population have lactose intolerance which makes soymilk their best alternate for milk and milk products, for example Tofu - which is a substitute for cheese.

Soymilk for Heart Patients

Soy milk protein helps lower your cholesterol level especially the LDL cholesterol which is the bad cholesterol. Amino acids and isoflavones content of the soy protein also reduces serum cholesterol levels in elderly men. It helps you in maintaining a normal blood pressure and improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Improve Lipid Profile

Unlike dairy milk which is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, soymilk is mostly unsaturated fat with zero cholesterol. The monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in soy restricts the cholesterol from mixing in your blood stream. Thus lowering the blood concentrations of triglyceride and LDL at the same time increasing HDL (high density lipoprotein).

Soymilk Good for Osteoporosis

Often known as brittle bone, loss of calcium reduces bone mass and leads to osteoporosis. It is a hormone and age related disease for women in post menopausal years. The phytoestrogen in soymilk help accelerate calcium absorption preventing the loss of bone mass reducing the risks of osteoporosis.

Prevents Postmenopausal Syndrome Using Soymilk

Let's check out benefits of soy milk for females. Inability to produce estrogen in woman during menopause creates a number of chronic health issues such as heart diseases, diabetes and obesity. Post menopausal women are also prone to depression, mood swings and insomnia. The phytoestrogen present in soymilk is an effective substitute for estrogen while the insoflavones helps in maintaining the estrogen levels.

Soy milk Good for Prostate Cancer

Excessive testosterone level in men leads to prostrate cancer. However the phytoestrogen present in soy milk inhibits the production of excess tostestrone in men. The lesser the amount of testosterone, the lesser the risk of prostrate cancer.

Drink Soy Milk to Fight Obesity

Soya milk has a very low sugar content as compared to dairy milk. It only has 7 grams of sugar per cup as compared to 12 grams in dairy milk, which is why it is also low on calories about 80 cal per cup.

Soy milk good for weight loss, moreover monosaturated fatty acid in soymilk inhibits the intestinal absorption of fat. The extra dose of fiber also helps in maintaining cholesterol and preventing obesity.

Discover Bone Benefits of Soymilk

The presence of calcium in high content makes it very useful for the growth and health of bones just like dairy milk. Since soymilk is lactose free and is a plant source protein, it is one of the best alternates for people who are lactose intolerant and vegetarians.

Uses of Soymilk

Just like dairy milk it also has several usages from direct consumption to making byproducts such as tofu and soy yogurt and also used in the preparation of cuisines such as muffins, coffee, oatmeal, pancakes, and smoothies. A traditional staple of East Asian cuisine but because of its cost-effectiveness and unlimited benefits, it is now being processed and used globally.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Soymilk

Soy milk is good for health but the presence of phytic acid in soymilk reduces the minerals absorption such as calcium, magnesium and zinc making you prone to mineral deficiency. Since soymilk offers infinite uses and cost-effectiveness is being overproduced and over-processed. It can cause some allergic reaction, constipation, nausea, and skin rash. Biggest point of concern is that it's not a natural food so it comes with all the possible side effects of synthetic food.

Cultivation of Soymilk

The origin of soymilk is from china and it dates back to as early as 202 B.C under the HAN dynasty but the written records are of 1500 A.D in a poem, “ Ode to Tofu” by Su Ping. However, the world's first soymilk factory was founded by Li Yu Ying, a Chinese living in Paris in the year 1910. J.A chard soy products were the first commercial manufacturer of soymilk in the U.S.A that began production in the year 1917. Since it is an emulsion of oil, water, and protein, it can be fermented and processed at a factory as well as home.

References

  • Shin HC, Seong HS, Sohn HS. The industrial development and health benefits of the soymilk. Korea Soybean Digest. 2004. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
  • Rideout TC, Chan YM, Harding SV, Jones PJ. Low and moderate-fat plant sterol fortified soymilk in modulation of plasma lipids and cholesterol kinetics in subjects with normal to high cholesterol concentrations: report on two randomized crossover studies. Lipids in health and disease. 2009 Dec;8(1):45. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
  • Fontenla M, Prchal A, Albarracín AL, Pintos S, Benvenuto S, Sosa ML, de Petrino SF. Effects of soy milk as a dietary complement during the natural aging process. Nutricion hospitalaria. 2008;23(6):607-13. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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