This product has won admirers around the world. It is especially popular in East Asia, some European countries, South and North America and Africa. Pleasant, sweetish, with a slight aroma - this is soy milk. The benefits and harms of the ingredient are still controversial.
Soy milk is a worthy alternative to cow or goat milk because it does not contain lactose. Thanks to this fact, the product will become a real find for people with intolerance to this component. Also, milk from beans is often taken by vegetarians because it is of plant origin.
Milk is made from soybeans. There is evidence that the recipe for making this drink was known in ancient China in the 2nd century. The production technology is quite simple - the raw materials are soaked and then mashed without removing them from the water. The excess thick is removed, and the liquid is heated to a temperature of 135-150 degrees.
On the shelves you can also find milk powder, it must be diluted with warm water. If there are special appliances at home, the preparation time for the drink will be within 15-20 minutes.
The whole world learned about soy milk during the years of the popularization of vegetarianism. The product can be used not only in its pure form, but also to prepare a variety of dishes from it. For example, the Japanese make broth for nabemono (soups or stews) based on the ingredient, the Chinese often use it for breakfast along with pastries.
Malaysians add sugar syrup to the drink, and the Thais are very fond of the product with the taste of red beans and barley. Soy milk can be used to make tofu, milkshakes, kefir, and yogurt.
Useful composition
Bean milk is very healthy for children. It's all about valuable components. About 35% of the mass is accounted for by important proteins, including 9 essential and 7 non-essential amino acids. The product, unlike cow's milk, does not contain cholesterol. The drink has four times the thiamine and twice the niacin of our usual drinking formula.
In addition to the indicated substances, soy milk contains:
- mono- and polyunsaturated fats;
- vitamins A, E, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, PP;
- minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium;
- carbohydrates and sugars;
- vegetable fiber.
Soy milk contains very useful components - isoflavones. They have a similar nature to human estrogen, but are less active. Substances have unique properties - they effectively fight the symptoms of menopause, have a good effect on the heart, blood vessels, skin, protect against cancer, osteoporosis and improve metabolism.
One glass (250 ml) of soy milk will enrich the body by 140 kcal. If you stumble upon a fat-free product, then know that the energy value of the same volume is 100 kcal.
Positive effect on the body
We have already outlined several points related to isoflavones. But the benefits of soy milk don't end there.
It has the following properties:
- lowers cholesterol levels;
- helps to lose weight, as it quickly satisfies the feeling of hunger and saturates the body with nutrients;
- easily digestible, so the drink is recommended for people with gastric hypersecretion and peptic ulcer;
- improves skin condition;
- regulates the functioning of the nervous system;
- the product is useful for children with galactosemia, i.e. galactose intolerance;
- is a good substitute for breast milk (however, you should make sure that the baby does not have an allergy to soy protein).
Soy milk powder will improve the health of patients suffering from hypertension, coronary disease, atherosclerosis, obesity and chronic cholecystitis.
Soy Milk Disadvantages and Risks
For children, soy milk may not be a complete alternative to cow's milk. It does not contain much calcium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
Although manufacturers artificially enrich the product with these substances, you still should not give up a regular drink if there are no contraindications for that. Also, the ingredient contains less phosphorus, but this is not critical.
The benefits and harms of soy milk are constantly in contact. Above, we talked about the beneficial effects of isoflavones on the body. These substances are a special type of phytoestrogens. So, some scientists believe that this component of the bean drink depresses the endocrine system.
Regular consumption of milk by men leads to a decrease in the concentration of spermatozoa. Excessive intake of the product can provoke thyroid ailments, especially in children.
Pregnant women should forget about milk for a while so as not to cause hormonal imbalance. Studies indicate that soy protein may cause recurrence of breast cancer and other cancers.
And the phytic acid contained in the drink binds calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron during digestion. They are not absorbed by the body, so the benefit of the ingredient is reduced.
Harm of soy milk
It happens that manufacturers try to save money and use low-quality products. The first is raw materials grown in environmentally unfavorable conditions. Beans can accumulate heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), toxins, etc. These substances will pass into the body and gradually poison it from the inside, as they tend to accumulate.
The second is the use of transgenic soybeans, that is, GMOs. Many people are not at all embarrassed by this, but you must know what you are eating. Therefore, the appropriate marking on the packaging should be.
Conclusion
As you have already understood, the properties of soy milk are quite controversial from the point of view of science. The main thing to remember is that it is better for pregnant and lactating women, people with cancer or a high risk of their occurrence, men with reproductive system problems to refuse the product. Others may consume the bean drink, but only in moderation.
Since childhood, we have known about the benefits of milk, but in the modern world, there are more and more people who have completely abandoned animal products in their diet. And how can they benefit from this? Soy milk has become a real discovery in this area. The benefits and harms of soy products have been debated for a long time, but the popularity of such a plant product is only growing, and in some countries people have completely replaced cow's milk with it.
Product history
Despite the fact that milk has received general fame relatively recently, it was invented even before our era. China is considered the birthplace of soy milk, which explains the greatest popularity of the product today in Asian countries.
According to history, the inventor of such a herbal drink was the Chinese philosopher Liu An, whose mother had no teeth, but was very fond of soybeans. To please his mother, he came up with the idea of making a drink out of beans.
Why milk?
Soybeans are used in many dishes today, often as a substitute for meat in vegetarians, and are the main ingredients for cheese and sauces. Soy milk successfully replaces the usual cow's milk, while it has nothing to do with animal products. The taste of the drink is sweetish, and outwardly it is very similar to ordinary milk, for which it got its name. The drink is white, liquid consistency and with a special smell. It is interesting that it can turn sour in the same way as ordinary milk, after which bean curd, kefir or yogurt is made from a vegetable product.
Soy milk production has been established in many countries, especially in those where soybeans grow in large quantities. Large-scale production of the product consists of soaking the beans, grinding them with special apparatus and pressing. The finished product is heated before bottling to get rid of pathogenic microflora and sent to packages, and then to store shelves. By the way, on sale you can also find often used for feeding children, but not in its pure form. To get it, the finished liquid is evaporated, and the remaining powder with a nutty flavor is packaged for sale. He is - dry milk from soy.
Composition of the product
A very important nuance for many people is that soy milk does not contain lactose at all, which means it can be used by people who are intolerant to this substance.
In addition, the calorie content of the product is two times lower than that of cow's milk, only 40 kcal, which makes it possible to drink it with various diets. There are few fats and carbohydrates in the drink, they are easily digested, the protein can safely replace the animal with its composition.
It is especially important to know that the benefit of soy milk lies in its unique amino acid composition. Only soy contains a complete list of amino acids necessary for humans and many other elements.
For vegetarians, this product is a valid source of many essential nutrients. Milk contains a high concentration of tocopherol, which is credited with anti-aging and antitumor effects. Also in the composition there are vitamins of groups B, C, lecithin and retinol, which stabilize the functioning of the nervous system. The drink also contains small amounts of iron, sodium and magnesium, but there is practically no calcium in it, but many manufacturers enrich their milk artificially.
It should be noted the presence of soy hormones, which are analogues of female hormones. It is thanks to this composition that the product is recommended for women to drink during menopause in order to prevent weight gain, osteoporosis and other disorders in the body.
The benefits of milk
In addition to the listed useful qualities of the product, others can be distinguished. So, it contains fiber, which helps digestion and fight toxins. The product itself is very light and does not burden the digestive system. Its dietary properties are due to the more delicate structure of milk, which makes it possible to reduce the secretion of gastric juice during its use. This is important for ulcers or hypersecretion of the stomach, diabetes and typhoid fever. Soy milk is also useful for prevention and for suspected diseases of the cardiovascular system, since it has absolutely no cholesterol. The nutritional value of the product allows it to be used for breastfeeding, and the presence of protein in the composition makes it possible to form muscle mass without eating meat. This herbal drink is very useful for obesity, but the presence of hormones in it can be considered from several angles.
Interestingly, soy sugar immediately enters the bloodstream without being digested, and is equated to glucose.
Harm to the body
Everyone should be aware that the phytoestrogens contained in soy milk tend to accumulate in the body when consumed in large quantities. This, in turn, can lead to disruption of the endocrine system and hypothyroidism, a decrease in sperm activity in men and negative health consequences in pregnant and lactating women.
Thus, in order to receive only the benefits of soy milk and avoid harm, when using it, you just need to know when to stop and not overdo it.
In addition, the presence in the composition of the product also includes the disadvantages of It interferes with the complete absorption of important trace elements, so their presence in the composition does not guarantee that the body will receive everything it needs.
Where could I buy?
Since the product has not yet received due popularity in our country, you can buy it only in large supermarkets or via the Internet. It is very rare to find soy milk on the shelves of ordinary stores, but if they have special sections for vegetarians, then you should look for a drink there.
To feed children, you can purchase a special soy mixture, which will necessarily contain additional components; a pure product for babies is not produced. Of course, low popularity affects the cost. You can buy a package of such milk for no less than 80 rubles.
Recipe for cooking at home
In fact, making soy milk in your kitchen is not difficult, you just need to prepare soy beans for this. For 1 kilogram of them, you will need to take 8 liters of water, a little salt and sugar if desired.
To begin with, the beans need to be prepared by soaking in clean boiled and slightly salted water overnight or even for 18 hours so that they swell and soften. It is important that they are completely covered with liquid at all times. The beans themselves must be ripe, white in color.
The soy milk recipe continues with the previously soaked beans being removed from the water and ground with a blender or meat grinder until smooth. The prepared gruel should be poured with half of the prepared water and left to infuse for 30-50 minutes, after which it is well squeezed through cheesecloth. The resulting cake is poured again and left for 30-50 minutes, after which it is again squeezed out and both portions of milk are mixed with each other. During the infusion of cake, you can periodically stir it with a wooden spatula.
Boiling completes the preparation of homemade soy milk. At this time, you can not move away from the pan, because such a drink “runs away” much faster than cow's milk. The finished product will have a slight taste of peas in its pure form.
Product Application
Boiled self-cooked milk can be eaten immediately or used to make soups, pancakes, cereals and other drinks. If you ferment it, you can get excellent soy yogurt, kefir or tofu curd. When mixing the product with fruit juices, wonderful cocktails are obtained, and when added to coffee, no one will notice the difference with regular milk. In the preparation of soups, pastries, cereals, sauces and even mayonnaise, vegetable milk is used in many countries.
The product can also be used in the field of cosmetology as a component of masks, creams and peels.
Conclusion
Soy milk has long been known to mankind and still has not lost its popularity, but only increases it. Of course, this indicates the benefits of the product for many people, but you can only get it with moderate use. Experts do not recommend drinking more than one glass of the drink a day. When buying or purchasing beans for its manufacture, it is very important to look carefully so that the packaging is labeled “non-GMO”. Only this can guarantee the receipt of high-quality soy milk, which will really help the body.
Soy milk only bears the name of an animal product, but in fact it is not. How useful it is and what harm it can cause, we will consider in this article.
The composition and calorie content of soy milk
We can say that soy milk is soy beans, because it is made from them. In our country, such a drink is not very common, but in others it is actively used.
The composition of the product under discussion contains very valuable amino acids, proteins, as well as vitamins of groups B and E. In addition, it is rich in minerals, including: potassium, iron, phosphorus and quite a lot of calcium. But that's not all. Soy milk is a rich source of isoflavones and lecithin.
Please note that unlike regular cow's milk, soy milk does not contain lactose at all, so it is great for people with intolerance to this substance.
The calorie content of the product is low - 54 calories for every 100 grams. It also contains just 5.5 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of protein, and just under two grams of fat.
Despite this, some nutritionists are not very fond of the drink, as it contains phytic acid, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients.
Soy milk benefits for women
Are there any benefits of soy milk for women? This question can be immediately answered in the affirmative.
- First of all, phytoestrogens in its composition are analogues of the human hormone estrogen. Its excess in the body can lead to breast cancer, but, surprisingly, the hormones in the drink behave the opposite way and act as a defense, having a preventive effect.
- This product is also useful for women during menopause, which goes away with various unpleasant symptoms. Soy milk relieves mood swings, prevents weight gain and other related problems by improving hormonal balance in the body.
- Phytoestrogens have a positive effect on bones, making them stronger. This is especially important for women over 50 years of age, as the risk of osteoporosis increases significantly from this age.
- According to statistics, the weaker sex is more likely to have a heart attack than men. Regular consumption of soy milk will significantly reduce the risk of heart attack.
Legumes have been known to man for thousands of years. The most valuable and widespread of them is soy, which often acts as a substitute for animal protein. The benefits and harms of soy are still a big question, although scientific facts speak more about its value than harm.
What it is
Soy milk is a white liquid with a light bean aroma and a sweetish aftertaste. It is made from specially soaked soybeans, mashed, filtered and brought to a boil.
Soy milk was first obtained in China, and today it is more popular and in demand in Asia and North America. Here it is an inexpensive alternative to cow's milk.
Important! The color and taste of milk is really similar to cow's milk, but does not contain milk sugar, which is important for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
Every year, soybean plantations increase by thousands of hectares, they are used to make meat substitutes, tofu cheese and milk.
The chemical composition of soy milk
All legumes are valued for the presence of proteins similar in structure to animals. And soy is in the first place. Its amino acids are closest to those of animals, which is why soy meat, milk and cheese are most often eaten by vegetarians.
The composition of healthy soy milk:
- vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, A;
- potassium, sodium, phosphorus;
- isoflavones;
- phytoestrogens;
- cellulose;
- lecithin.
Beans are high in phytic acid and completely free of cholesterol.
Calorie and nutritional value of soy milk
This product is recognized as a dietary product for its low calorie content and high digestibility. There are about 35-40 kcal in 100 g of soy milk. Of these, protein is about 40%, fat - about 24%, carbohydrates - 36%. With such a high content of proteins and fats, the product is not contraindicated in dietary nutrition, and is even recommended to combat obesity.
Useful properties of soy milk
Vegetable origin, the presence of important amino acids, vitamins and minerals make soy milk a truly healthy product. It is included in the diet of vegetarians, people with hypersecretion of gastric juice, hypertension.
Useful properties of soy milk:
- cleanses the intestines of toxins, improves peristalsis;
- strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
- protects female reproductive organs from oncology;
- hypoallergenic;
- antioxidant;
- improves the functioning of the nervous system.
It is useful to include milk in the diet of patients with stomach ulcers, chronic cholecystitis, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and obesity.
For women
Isoflavones, phytoestrogens and vitamin E are substances present in soy milk and have a direct effect on the female body. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from harmful free radicals. In addition, it is useful for hair, skin and nails.
Phytoestrogens are analogues of female sex hormones. Doctors have different opinions about them. With hormonal disruptions in women, especially during menopause, soy will be useful. Her phytoestrogens will make up for the lack of her own estrogens, which means that a woman will suffer less from hot flashes, fever and ailments.
Isoflavones, according to many scientists, can protect a woman from ovarian, cervical and breast cancer. The hypothesis has not yet been fully confirmed, but research in this area is ongoing.
For men
Men should not consume soy in large quantities. This is due to phytoestrogens, which can cause disruptions in the synthesis of male hormones. This is fraught with the development of pathologies of the prostate gland, impaired spermatogenesis. If a man has problems with the thyroid gland, it is better not to use soy.
Soy milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding
There are no categorical bans on soy for pregnant and lactating women. But there is a group of factors in the presence of which it is better to refuse the product. So, it is undesirable to drink soy milk with hypotension and a tendency to low blood pressure. If you are allergic to other legumes.
Advice! It is impossible to drink milk in large quantities and eat soy products with a low level of calcium in the body.
When breastfeeding, soy milk will be helpful if the baby is allergic to cow's milk protein. A woman can replace dairy products with soy, but also in small quantities, so as not to cause allergies and colic in the baby.
Can soy milk be given to children
This product can be given to children from 5 years of age. It is useful in that it is a source of protein, which is necessary for a growing child's body to form cells and tissues. However, soy milk-based infant formulas are still available as an alternative to lactose-free formulas. Soy milk for a child is indicated for intolerance to milk sugar and protein.
It is dangerous for teenage girls to drink milk from legumes, the product can upset the balance of hormones and cause an early onset of menstruation. Undesirable for hypothyroidism and other problems in the thyroid gland. For boys, this product is less dangerous.
benefits of soy milk for weight loss
Soy milk is a healthy popular product for weight loss. It can be of different fat content, enriched with useful elements, most often calcium. In dietary nutrition, it is valued for its low calorie content and high protein content. Fiber in the composition of the product helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins and eliminate the feeling of hunger for a long time.
Important! The absence of animal fat suggests that milk does not contribute to weight gain, but, on the contrary, improves the process of weight loss.
There are specially designed soy diets. They are based on the use of soy milk and tofu cheese. Milk is either drunk or porridge is prepared on its basis. It is useful to drink coffee with soy milk during a diet. The essence of the diet is a high proportion of protein consumed, which is digested for a long time by the body, requires energy and is not deposited in fatty tissues.
The use of soy milk in cosmetology
Soy milk is especially beneficial for the skin - it nourishes, tones, rejuvenates, and protects from the harmful effects of the environment. There are a lot of cosmetic brands that produce soy-based care and treatment cosmetics.
At home, you can make natural healthy masks and creams on soy. For washing and wiping the face for the purpose of nutrition and cleansing, pure milk is used. To prepare a mask, the product is mixed with vegetable or fruit purees and applied to the skin of the face and neck. For dry and sensitive skin, vegetable or cosmetic oil is added to the mask. In the morning and evening, to revitalize the skin and smooth out wrinkles, it is useful to wipe the skin with ice cubes from soy milk.
Benefits of dry soy milk
If the benefits of natural soy milk are still in question, then you should not expect a good effect on the body from a dry product. If you carefully study the composition of the dry product on any of the store packs, you can see that it contains a lot of incomprehensible additives from corn syrup and stabilizer to emulsifier and salt. Everything is pure chemistry.
Powdered milk was created to cover the lack of natural milk, but it is used mainly in Asian countries. The benefits of the product are minimal, and the harm can be significant.
How to make soy milk at home
The process of making healthy milk is very simple. First, the washed and selected beans are soaked for 12 hours in cool water so that they swell. Then, together with water, they are pureed in a blender and squeezed. The resulting liquid is boiled over low heat for 15 minutes with salt, sugar and cinnamon as desired. Then the resulting milk is cooled and stored in the refrigerator.
Proportions of ingredients:
- 200 g soybeans;
- 900 ml of water;
- 2 tsp Sahara;
- a pinch of salt and cinnamon.
About 1 liter of healthy milk is obtained from such a portion of the initial ingredients.
Harm of soy milk and contraindications
Despite some health benefits, soy milk can be harmful to your health. First of all, it is dangerous because of the content of phytic acid, which partially blocks the absorption of calcium, zinc, iron and other elements. With frequent use, this is fraught with the development of a deficiency of these minerals.
It is contraindicated in:
- disorders in the work of the endocrine system;
- in adolescence;
- the risk of developing uterine cancer in women;
- hypotension and asthenia.
In other cases, in the use of the product you need to know the measure.
How to choose and store soy milk
You can find healthy soy milk at any supermarket or vegan store. It comes in different fat content and with additives. It is best to choose a pure product that contains nothing but water and soybeans.
In sealed packaging, the shelf life of such a product is from 8 to 12 months. Once opened, it is good for consumption within 4 days. Homemade healthy milk is also stored for no more than 5 days in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of soy milk are still in question, although the Japanese and Chinese have long preferred plant milk over animal milk. Occasionally including it in the diet will not hurt, because a complete protein is very important for every organism. But in general, the average European should not get carried away with soy products. It is more habitual and healthier for him to drink regular milk.
The benefits of soy milk are not recognized by everyone, as this drink has some features. However, its positive properties and the absence of allergens allow it to be used by those who have intolerance to milk of animal origin. Of course, it is not a full-fledged substitute for cow's milk, and it can be consumed in small quantities. However, with its help, you can diversify your diet, which is what chefs from many countries have done.
Soy milk is a plant-based product made from soybeans. It is believed that for the first time soy milk was received by the Chinese, who call it soy liquid. In Asian countries, there is a trend towards the use of milk of plant origin. In some countries it is referred to as a soy drink. Soy milk is most popular in East Asia, South and North America, Africa and European countries.
Soy milk has a pleasant taste, slightly sweet, the aroma is light and unobtrusive. Various products are made from soy milk: kefir, tofu cheese, broths, milkshakes, yogurts, sauces, mayonnaises, infant formulas and are used in confectionery.
The benefits of soy milk.
The main advantage of soy milk is that it is a worthy substitute for regular cow's milk or because it does not contain lactose. The vegetable origin of milk allows it to be used in the diet of vegetarians. Another vegetarian milk is.
Soy milk contains many useful substances:
- macro- and microelements, isoflavone, protein, thiamine, pyridoxine;
- vitamins B12 and vitamin E, which is the prevention of the development of tumors. The same vitamin slows down aging and improves the condition of the skin and hair;
- vegetable fiber;
- cyanocobalamin, which has a positive effect on the circulatory system, and in combination with thiamine and pyridoxine strengthens the nervous system and improves metabolic processes;
- phytoestrogens, their action is similar to the action of the hormone estrogen. They are the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms (palpitations, fever, hot flashes and pain during sexual intercourse).
In addition, the calorie content of soy milk is quite low, so it is a good dietary product that is easily digestible, useful for hypersecretion, obesity, stomach ulcers and chronic cholecystitis.
Along with all the benefits of soy milk, we can name something in which it is inferior to cow's milk - this is a low content of such an important element as calcium. Therefore, infant formulas based on soy milk and other soy products are artificially enriched with this trace element.
Contraindications to the use of soy milk.
There is no way doctors can agree on soy milk. A considerable part of doctors recommend it for use as a good 
dietary product. Other doctors say that it is better to refrain from using it, as it can worsen the functioning of the endocrine system, lead to thyroid diseases, and reduce the number of spermatozoa.
Soy milk should not be consumed by those who have a predisposition to the development of estrogen-dependent tumors, as well as other cancers. Soy milk contains a lot of phytic acid, which, when digested, can bind micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium, which prevents their absorption.
Interestingly, many doctors do not recommend soy milk to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under one year old. However, the production and sale of baby food based on soy milk is still very developed. Another disadvantage of soy milk is that a large part of soy is a genetically modified product.
I talked about the most important pros and cons of soy milk, and now you can decide whether to use it or not.
Loading...