|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Soy Milk Benefits

Soy milk is manufactured from soybeans and contains no additional fat, cholesterol or triglycerides (a chemical form of fat that exists in most foods). The health benefits associated with drinking soy milk include promotion of a healthy heart, lowering cholesterol levels, increased memory and weight loss. Soy milk can be used like regular milk for drinking or cooking and perhaps mixing up some delicious smoothies.

  1. Soy Milk and a Healthy Heart

    • Heart disease is commonly the result of atherosclerosis, which is when the arteries of the heart harden and become blocked due to plaque buildup often caused by high amounts of fat and cholesterol intake. According to Gloria Tsang, RD, "the cholesterol-lowering effect of soy milk and its role of heart disease was widely recognized in the mid-90s when the results of a meta-analysis of 38 clinical studies were published."

    Soy Milk and Lower Cholesterol

    • One of the most important benefits of lowering your cholesterol level is reducing the risk of heart attack. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, "a 1994 study called the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (also called 4S) found that lowering cholesterol can prevent heart attacks and reduce death in men and women who already have heart disease and high cholesterol."

    Soy Milk and Weight Loss

    • A study conducted by Judith M. Lukaszuk, an assistant professor and didactic program director in dietetics at Northern Illinois University, showed that soy milk promotes weight loss in overweight men and women. Since problems with obesity are related to high amounts of fat intake, soy milk proves to be a beneficial tool for weight loss due to the fact that it contains no additional fat.

    Soy Milk and Memory Improvement

    • Soy milk contains isoflavones, which are similar to the natural estrogen produced by the body and is a type of steroid hormone. Consuming isoflavones has been studied and proven to increase learning and memory. According to Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, "in one study with 21 postmenopausal women, the soy isoflavones improved specific incidents of verbal learning and memory after four weeks and frontal-lobe functioning after eight weeks."

    Soy Milk Allergy Warning

    • Soy is one of the most common foods to cause an allergic reaction, particularly soy milk, and is potentially life-threatening. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to soy include sudden cases of acne, nasal congestion, diarrhea, angioedema (rapid swelling of the skin), rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity) and atrophic dermatitis (common form of eczema or inflammation of the skin). If you experience any of these symptoms stop ingesting soy products and contact your physician.

Nutrition - Related Articles